The E tū delegation at the Labour Party Conference with a piece of artwork kindly donated by MP Camilla Belich
Since our last issue, the Government has pushed ahead even harder to take rights away from workers. The pace and scale of these latest moves show just how determined the National-led Government is to weaken workplace protections and tip the balance of power further towards employers.
One of the biggest developments is the return of the Employment Relations Act Amendment Bill to Parliament for its second reading. Despite strong opposition from unions, legal experts, and community groups, the Bill has come back even worse than before. It strips away key rights that workers have relied on for decades, including the right to a fair bargaining process, meaningful protection from discrimination, and a pathway to resolve disputes when employers refuse to act in good faith. The Council of Trade Unions has described it as the worst attack on workers in decades.
Alongside this Bill, the Government has confirmed plans to roll back sick leave entitlements. Instead of supporting people to stay home when they are unwell, the proposal would reduce sick leave entitlements for part-time workers and increase pressure on staff to turn up sick. We know exactly what this means for real workplaces. Infection spreads faster, injuries worsen, and the most vulnerable workers pay the highest price.
There are also clear signs that Ministers want to intervene directly in the ability of public sector workers to take industrial action. Reports from mid-year indicate the Government is considering new limits on when and how workers in the public service can strike, including frontline staff in health, education, and emergency services. Interference of this kind has no place in a modern democracy – the right to strike is a fundamental right. It is already carefully regulated under New Zealand law, and any move to weaken it would make it harder for workers to stand up for safe staffing, fair pay, and quality public services.
In response, E tū members have shown exactly what solidarity looks like. When public sector unions organised their recent “mega strike”, E tū members across our industries turned out to support them. That support sent a strong message: workers will not be divided. An attack on one sector is an attack on all of us.
Rangi Chase
The political work continues in many forms. As an affiliate of the Labour Party, E tū plays an active role in shaping policy and ensuring workers’ voices are heard. A delegation attended the Labour Party Conference this year, where members took part in policy workshops and debated the changes needed to build a fairer Aotearoa. E tū Youth Convenor Rangi Chase says the experience left them feeling energised.
“I really enjoyed the conference. It was inspiring to see just how many other people recognise the need to get rid of this government! Working with other delegates and getting stuck into policies was probably the highlight for me because we need real changes that help people.
Check your enrolment to vote
The National-led Government are planning to make it harder to vote next year, by removing the opportunity to enrol to vote or update your enrolment while voting is open.
- If you are a first-time voter, you must enrol to vote more than two weeks before the election.
- If you have changed your address, you must update your details more than two weeks before the election, otherwise your vote will not count.
Enrol to vote, or check your enrolment details today, by visiting www.vote.nz/enrol