Nationwide meetings on employment law changes underway

Workers in Tauranga and Napier have today kicked off a series of meetings to discuss proposed changes to employment law.

For the next two weeks up to 3,000 members of National Distribution Union in the retail, logistics, wood and textile industries will attend stop work meetings across New Zealand.

NDU General Secretary Robert Reid said that workers at meetings this morning had expressed their opposition to National’s weakening of work rights.

“Of particular concern to members at the meetings earlier today was the impact of the proposed law changes on workers who didn’t have union protection,” he said.

“Workers were also concerned at the extension of 90 Day Fire at Will provisions to all firms, and the proposal that allows companies to prevent workers accessing their union official when they need her or him,” Robert Reid.

The meetings are electing delegations to meet with government MPs based in their area.

Further meetings are being held in Waipukurau and Whakatane this afternoon, and in Levin, Te Aroha and Rotorua tomorrow.

The NDU will also be participating fully in national activities through the Council of Trade Unions, including rallies on August 21st, Robert Reid said. 

For further comment:

contact
Robert Reid
NDU General Secretary, on (021) 535-933