Business NZ lobby for union-busting laws

Business New Zealand has advised the new National/ACT government to take an axe to workers' rights and the union movement with a series of extreme policy recommendations on employment law.

The recommendations to the new government include introducing the proposed 90 day no-rights period for workers in small businesses, undermining collective bargaining rights, allowing employers to hire strike-breaking labour, explicitly allowing employers to pass on union wins to non-union members, removing the right to relevant daily pay and weakening workplace health and safety.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says the policy is a disgrace and an attack on workers basic freedoms. "The Business NZ briefing includes advice that contravenes International Labour Organisation standards including removing the right to freedom of association."

"None of the policy advice they have put forward deals with the importance of a high-skill, high-wage future," says Little, "instead the briefing indicates a near obsession with removing workers' rights."

"We've worked constructively with Business NZ in the past on issues such as productivity but by promoting policy that attacks our members and every other New Zealand worker they've seriously damaged that good will."

The EPMU has written an open letter to Business NZ about the issue. You can download a copy of the letter here.