Mapp dumped but policy remains

National MP Wayne Mapp has been dumped as the party’s spokesperson for industrial relations, just weeks after his attempts to bring in a 90 day no-rights period for all workers was defeated in parliament.

Mapp also lost his position as spokesperson for PC Eradication – a portfolio seen as a “sideshow” even within his own party.

The reshuffle comes as new leader John Key tries to position National as a centrist party. Just last week Key tried to allay workers’ fears by saying National would not make any major changes to the Employment Relations Act, however he provided little detail as to what that would mean in practice.

EPMU National Secretary Andrew Little says Key’s lack of detail might be because his policy hasn’t changed at all.

“In the same statement, Key said he wanted more ‘labour market flexibility’. This came straight after his meeting with John Howard, who this year ushered in some of the harshest industrial legislation in the western world.

“On top of this, his newly appointed industrial relations spokesperson Kate Wilkinson just last week came out strongly in favour of a 90 day no-rights period, which would completely undermine the good faith provisions in the Employment Relations Act.

“National’s recent statements on industrial relations have been confusing and contradictory, and their record shows workers have every reason to greet Key’s latest branding exercise with suspicion.”

National’s employment policy can be found here .