MEDIA RELEASE

National Distribution Union

September 16, 2008

Union Gives Thumbs Up for Green Policy

Industrial Relations Policy released by the Green Party today gets the thumbs up from the NDU.

"It would be a good thing if the Green Party is able to have a strong influence on industrial relations after the election," says National Secretary Laila Harré.

"They understand that most workers still do not have access to unions and collective bargaining because unions were gutted in the 1990s.

"The resources and legislative support for workers in small and casualised workplaces to bargain successfully are simply not there."

Ms Harré says that Green proposals to improve union organising rights and collective bargaining machinery are in stark contrast to National Party policy.

"Union access to workplaces is fundamental if we want to get decent pay and conditions for workers".

She says her union supports the Green plan to review the Employment Relations Act.

"The intention of the Act is to support collective bargaining but we need better machinery and more resources to make that happen".

Ms Harré says other Green policies including setting the minimum wage at two-thirds of the average wage ($15), ending all age based discrimination, minimum redundancy provisions, and 13 months paid parental leave are all important to workers.

ENDS

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