'Tea-break' employment bill becomes law

Labour Minister Michael Woodhouse said the move was aimed at providing flexibility, not taking away rights. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A law which takes away the legal right to a tea break and weakens collective bargaining has taken line honours as the first law change passed in National's third term, squeaking into law by 62 votes to 58.

The Employment Relations Amendment Bill passed with support from National, Act and United Future despite strong oppostion from Labour, the Greens, NZ First and the Maori Party. It is the first piece of legislation to be passed by the new Parliament.

National has argued that it allow for more flexibility in the labour market. However, Labour's Iain Lees-Galloway said it broke Prime Minister John Key's election night promise to govern in in the interests of all New Zealanders.

"It shows the arrogance of this National Government that the first thing they do after being elected to office for a third term is to undermine workers rights and undermine health and safety at work. This legislation has one purpose: to keep wages down."

The bill removes guaranteed meal breaks in return for requiring employers to pay extra where they are not provided. The breaks were written into law in 2008 but National has argued it is inflexible for some, such as those in sole-charge positions where regimented breaks are impractical.

Unions have also objected to the weakening of collective bargaining and ability to dock workers' pay for industrial action such as working to rule. It also allows employers to choose not to be part of a collective agreement even where the workforce have voted for one.

Workplace Relations Minister Michael Woodhouse said National had campaigned on the changes to make the labour market more flexible and was now delivering on them.

"Flexible and balanced employment relations legislation is essential for business to grow while ensuring protections for workers are retained. This Bill strikes the right balance to promote business growth while also retaining protections for workers."

Council of Trade Unions Secretary Helen Kelly said it meant New Zealand now had some of the worst worker protections in the OECD.

"This law attacks workers when they are most vulnerable; when they are negotiating for a new job, when their employment is at risk. Many workers will even lose their rights to tea and meal breaks."

Robert Reid, General Secretary for the FIRST Union, said the changes were unnecessary and driven by ideology rather than the economy. He said the Government had spoken about its wish for wages to increase, but was now blunting the tools that allowed that to happen.

"Collective bargaining is one of the most effective tools workers have. It works. If the government had any interest in lifting wages it would strengthen collective bargaining not attack it."