March 11, 2009
Media Release

Nine day fortnight subsidy not enough - EPMU

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union says the Government’s nine day fortnight announcement is underwhelming and will have to be met with substantial employer top-ups if it is going to work.

The EPMU has supported the idea of a nine day fortnight in principle but only if the government provides a decent subsidy for lost wages.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says today’s announcement is disappointing.

“Five hours at the minimum wage is a miserable level of subsidy for a day’s lost pay and our members simply won’t wear that sort of loss.

“Our members are telling us they can’t afford to take another hit in the pocket, they’re already paying for the recession through lost overtime and shift allowances and they’re not in a position to bear any more.

“Workers didn’t cause this recession and it’s not on to expect them to pay the price. Unless employers are willing to meet this subsidy with a substantial top-up of their own it’s unlikely to be accepted by workers.

“As far as the EPMU is concerned, this will be a bottom line.”

Mr Little says it is also disappointing that the plan to provide free training for workers on their tenth day has been abandoned. This was a core part of the programme outlined at the Jobs Summit.

The EPMU is New Zealand’s largest private sector union, representing 45,000 working New Zealanders across eleven industries.

ENDS

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