19 March 2014

No benefits from "rock star economy" for low-paid workers

"The National Government has ensured that there will be no benefits from the "rock-star economy" flowing to low-income workers and their families as it pushes ahead with passing changes to the Employment Relations Act," said Service and Food Workers Union National Secretary, John Ryall.

John Ryall said the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, expected in Parliament today, would hit low-paid workers and their families hard. The SFWU covers 22,000 of New Zealand's lowest paid workers.

"By giving employers the opportunity to walk away from collective bargaining, to refuse to negotiate industry agreements and to dump cleaners during contract changes the Government is ensuring an even tougher time for those workers who are already struggling," he said.

"The Government has completely ignored the thousands of submissions made to the Select Committee opposing the removal of important workplace rights.

"New Zealand is already one of the top countries for the rate in growth of economic inequality. These changes will make things even worse," said John Ryall.

ENDS

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