EPMU releases Work Rights Checklist

5 August, 2008

Friday's Wage Drive rally in Christchurch saw the release of the EPMU's Work Rights Checklist - the minimum work rights standards the EPMU expects to see from political parties if New Zealand workers are to continue to get decent wage rises.

The Checklist was compiled after consultation with thousands of EPMU members through delegate forums, industry councils and the recent biennial conference. The plan is to distribute the document at each Wage Drive rally and have it endorsed by members. 

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says the Checklist is about making sure Kiwis have the work rights they need to win higher wages.

"Union members know better than most that decent wage increases are only possible with a decent framework of work rights. 

"At a time when working families are struggling with the high price of food and petrol and political parties are talking about the need to close the wage gap with Australia it's more important than ever that union members look carefully at each party's policy on work rights.

"This Checklist is about giving members a basis on which to judge those policies against our own union principles of decent wages and a fair go at work." 

The Work Rights Checklist calls for each party to lay out a comprehensive policy on wages and sets out the union's minimum expectations around union rights, the right to be treated fairly and with dignity, the right to a safe and healthy workplace, decent minimum entitlements and ongoing training and learning.

The Checklist can be viewed here. To download a PDF version to print off and distribute around your worksite click here.