Employment Law Protest Targets Fast Food Industry

Over 100 Christchurch Trade Unionists and their supporters staged a protest against National's proposed changes to employment law outside central city fast food outlets this afternoon.

Members of the UNITE! union called the protest in response to the government's plans to extend the 90 day fire at will law to all workplaces and to give employers the right to demand proof of sickness after only one day's absence.

'Workers in the fast food industry are often on the minimum wage and have no guaranteed hours of work. They represent some of the most vulnerable employees in the workforce,' said UNITE! organiser Matt Jones.

'National's proposed changes to the law makes their employment even more precarious and strips them of fundamental rights. The fact an employer could take away someone's livelihood and not even have to provide a reason for doing so is an affront to natural justice,' said Matt Jones.

'Here in the central city companies like McDonald's, KFC, and Burger King are staffed by young workers who are among the most at risk from the proposed legislation,' said Matt Jones.

'The message these law changes send is that workers are not to be trusted and are disposable, it makes all John Key's talk of building a high wage economy and closing the gap with Australia sound hollow,' said Matt Jones.

Supporters from unions representing nurses, primary teachers, public servants, rail and maritime workers, engineers and distribution workers braved a wet southerly to make their protest heard.

'This protest is part of a warm up for Council of Trade Union's organised rallies in the main centres on 21 August, part of nationwide campaign aimed at forcing the government to back down,' said Matt Jones.

ENDS

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