National attacks union rewards scheme

Taxpayers won’t be duped by the Government’s latest bid to entrench the unions deeply in its pocket with a reward scheme that’s nothing more than a bribe, says National’s Finance spokesman, Don Brash. Figures released by the Finance Minister show the Inland Revenue Department awarded $1.7 million in lump-sum payments to union members on its staff this year, and indications are that other departments have paid similar amounts.

“I agree with ACT’s Rodney Hide, when he calls the payments an outrage,” says Dr Brash. “Dangling the promise of a bonus over employees, as long as they join a union, is nothing more than a blatant bribe.

“This is especially offensive given the fact that these same unions are major contributors to Labour Party coffers.

“New Zealand is striving for a better economic performance, which will only come about through higher productivity. Rewards should be based on performance and productivity, not on whether you belong to a union,” says Dr Brash.

© Scoop Media