National tries to silence EPMU on work rights

April 22, 2008

The National Party has filed for a judicial review of the Electoral Commission’s decision to register the EPMU as a third party under the Electoral Finance Act.

This follows the Electoral Commission’s decision this month to register the EPMU after rejecting an earlier objection from National Party activist and blogger David Farrar.

Under the Electoral Finance Act anyone wishing to spend more than $12,000 on election materials must register as a third party, and National’s objection, if successful, could limit the EPMU’s ability to raise stronger work rights and higher wages as an election issue.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says National’s actions reveal the truth behind its rhetoric about free speech and democracy.

“This is not a noble crusade by the National Party for truth and justice, but an attempt to shut out the voice of working New Zealanders from debating employment policies and issues during the election campaign.

“The EPMU will vigorously oppose the National Party’s attempts to silence its 50,000 members and continue to raise the importance of work rights and higher wages in the public arena.

“Given National’s policies in this area it’s no surprise they are trying to silence the voice of workers.”

At a preliminary hearing in the High Court in Wellington last week it was agreed the union’s registration as a third party would not go ahead on the basis that the case would be granted urgency. A full hearing has been set down for 14 May.

The EPMU is New Zealand's largest private sector union and in 2006 led the campaign to defeat National's attempt to remove the right of workers to appeal against unfair dismissal during their first 90 days in a new job. This is still official National Party policy.