Darien FENTON

Labour Spokesperson

14 May 2012

MEDIA STATEMENT

Employment Relations Don’t Have to be Lose-Lose

Moves to destabilise collective bargaining undermine the effort and pride New Zealanders put into their work, says Labour’s spokesperson for Labour Issues Darien Fenton.

“Kiwi workers are banking on the assumption that if they work hard, they will get ahead,” Darien Fenton said today.

“But the raft of changes National is progressing around collective bargaining will drive down wages for all workers.

“No wonder there was so much interest in the Aussie job expo over the weekend. Fed-up Kiwi workers have good reason to believe things will get worse here before they get better.

“This morning John Key said that changes to employment law under his government would be minor. If that’s the case we’d all like to see the details.

“None of these supposed changes will do anything to improve unemployment and lift wages.

“There is already talk of a wage crisis in New Zealand. Coupled with the soaring cost of living, low and middle income Kiwis, have reason to feel disenfranchised.

“No one wants to see on-going strike action without resolution. Workers want to work,” Darien Fenton said.

“But if there is any lesson to be taken from the Aussie expo it’s that workers want to feel valued and want opportunities to get ahead.

“If they can’t get that here, they’ll take their skills offshore,” Darien Fenton said.

ENDS

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