Staff turn to unions for help

Amalgamated Workers Union Rotorua representative Robert Popata

Rotorua workers are turning back to unions for support amid concerns over the Employment Relations Amendment Act.

Amalgamated Workers Union Rotorua representative Robert Popata said they had seen an increase in new membership after the bill was passed.

"People who didn't think they needed a union are knocking on our door, saying they misjudged the political climate."

The controversial law, which comes into effect in March, has been accused of taking away the legal right to tea breaks and weakening collective bargaining. The changes to collective bargaining let employers walk away from negotiations without reaching agreement and remove a provision that ensured new employees could benefit from collective agreements already in place. First Union local representative Phil Graham considers the changes to collective bargaining "a clear indication from National that they wish to limit unions' involvement [in employment issues]."

Mr Graham had not noticed an increase in new members but said most members were concerned about the law.

Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Darrin Walsh says workers are likely to notice little change when the law comes into effect.

He believes the changes to be fair, bringing more flexibility to negotiations for all involved and "it brings the power back to employer-employee relationships, so they can figure out what works for them outside of legislation".

Mr Walsh thought the changes to break times, which have been the most contentious, would be more likely to benefit workers than employers.

"A lot of people are in work that means they can't always take the breaks they're entitled to anyway, now they'll know exactly what they can ask for in lieu."

Despite having concerns about the direction employee rights were heading, Mr Popata agreed there would not be much practical difference for Rotorua workers.

"There will always be good and bad employers.

"The mongrels will be mongrels and the good ones will be good, regardless of the law.

"The changes just let them be bigger mongrels if they want to.

"We work with a lot of very good employers in Rotorua, they aren't going to change just because the law says they can get away with it."

Both union representatives felt it was important to work with employers to find solutions everyone was happy with.

Mr Graham said he preferred to get direct references to legislation taken out of agreements he worked on.

"Most employers like to think they are fair employers. So I always ask: how does this fit with your definition of fair?"