Greens move to restore Labour promise to ERB

The Green Party moved today to try to include a Labour election promise in the Employment Relations Bill.

Green Employment Spokesperson Sue Bradford announced the amendment, which provides continuity of employment under new bosses, to a group of Service and Food Workers Union workers, mainly cleaners, at a small function at Parliament today.

Clause 66 is intended to cover employees working in the service sector where the provider changes but the service on the premises continues.

It is relevant for example for cleaners, catering workers, hospital orderlies, rest home laundry workers, security guards and school caretakers.

Labour and the Alliance have indicated they will oppose the clause. However it was part of Labour's promised employment package pre-election (see attached sheet).

"I am proud to be able to provide this amendment and appeal to the coalition partners to reconsider their positions on it," Ms Bradford said today. "It seeks to address a genuine inequity affecting some of the lowest paid workers in this country - especially Maori and Pacific Island women - who work in some of the worst environments and at the worst times.

"Lax labour laws plus competitive tendering have allowed contracting firms to drive down wages and conditions for these people. I am surprised therefore that the Alliance and Labour are against my clause."

Sue Bradford 04 4706720 Paul Bensemann (press secretary): 021 214 2665

© Scoop Media