Transport Unions welcome Government moves
Joint media release Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) and Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU)
Thursday 26 October 2006
Transport Unions welcome Government moves on casual jobs
Two major transport unions, the Maritime Union of New Zealand and the Rail and Maritime Transport Union, have welcomed the announcement of an independent review into casual jobs.
New Zealand First deputy leader Peter Brown MP told the National Conference of the Maritime Union of New Zealand yesterday that New Zealand First would be working closely with the Labour-led Government to hold the review on casual jobs.
Mr Brown told the Conference that Minister of Labour Ruth Dyson had agreed to a review across all employment areas.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the news is a great step for workers.
He says that Mr Brown's comments that long-term casual jobs were unacceptable was welcomed by the Union.
"We are especially pleased with the news that Labour and New Zealand First will be working together on this issue."
He says the Maritime Union has been raising the issue for some years and had been advocating permanent, secure jobs as the only way forward.
Rail and Maritime Transport Union National Secretary Wayne Butson says that casualization of jobs was a major problem throughout the New Zealand economy.
"Some people have been working in casual jobs for years and years, living on a day to day basis."
He says that the problems of casual jobs included irregular hours, the lack of ability for families to plan financially, stress and health problems, relationship and family breakdowns, and insecure incomes.
Mr Hanson says the other bad effect of casual jobs were that casual workers were too scared to stand up for their employment rights in many cases.
"We cannot talk about a thriving economy when people are struggling with casual jobs, especially as casualization effects the most vulnerable workers."
ENDS