PSA Media Release

Advice to National Party: fair employment laws are cool

Public service workers attending rallies throughout New Zealand today had a message for the National Party about their 90 day probationary periods bill: it's not cool.

This comes after the release of a power point presentation delivered to National Party members about how the party can be cool and appeal to women voters.

"If the National Party really wants to appeal to young New Zealanders and women, they should scrap their 90 day probationary period bill and commit to fair employment laws for New Zealand workers," said Richard Wagstaff, Public Service Association National Secretary.

Thousands of union members braved the cold and rain to attend rallies against National MP Wayne Mapp's 90 day probationary period bill in Wellington, Nelson and Dunedin today.

Richard Wagstaff addressed the rally at Parliament this afternoon and told union members that the good faith provisions in the current Employment Relations Act provide a good model for employer/employee relations.

"The current model of industrial relations is producing record low unemployment, wage growth and harmonious workplace relations," said Richard Wagstaff. "This bill would be a leap backwards for industrial relations in New Zealand."

"We call on New Zealand First, United Future and the Maori Party to stand up for workers and vote against this unfair and unnecessary piece of legislation."

The PSA is committed to continuing to campaign against this bill. Further rallies are planned in Christchurch on Saturday 22 July and in Auckland on Wednesday 23 August.

ENDS

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