News

New Zealand DHL Workers join protests against changes to Labour Laws.



More than 100 workers from DHL warehouses in Auckland, New Zealand, have joined the protests of their union (the National Distribution Union) and the NZ Council of Trade Unions against the Government’s proposed changes to labour laws.  The Government introduced the changes into Parliament yesterday.



The more than 30 proposed changes to the NZ Labour Law include:



·         Removing the right to access of union officials to workplaces.



·         Extending the 90 day “trial” or “fire at will provisions to every worker and every workplace in the country.



·         Allowing workers to “sell” one week of their annual leave for cash.



·         Allowing employers to ask for a medical certificate from workers after only one day off work.



The Auckland DHL workers attended a 1,000 strong National Distribution Union protest meeting on Thursday 19 August.  They were very visible in their uniforms and captured the attention of the television report of the event.



More than 4,000 workers have attended the NDU organised protests to date.  All NZ unions come together on Saturday 21 August for more protests.



For the protest involving the DHL see:



http://www.youtube.com/nduunion#p/a/u/0/qqsmnrpqTIc



For an example of how the 90 law exploits workers see:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNyCiTgxX3A



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3yTjbkxEdw&feature=related