Illegally operating quarries must have safety reps
WorkSafe's astonishing admission it has no idea how many quarries are being operated illegally is further evidence health and safety representatives are desperately needed in the industry, Labour's spokesperson for Labour Relations Iain Lees-Galloway says.
"WorkSafe is supposed to be New Zealand's safety watchdog. It is tasked with enforcing health and safety laws and standards, yet it seems unable to police many of the country's high-risk industries.
Quarry safety law must be urgently strengthened
The growing list of incidents causing injury and death at quarries demonstrates the urgent need to strengthen the health and safety law, Labour's spokesperson for Labour Relations Iain Lees-Galloway says.
"The Select Committee considering the Health and Safety Reform Bill should use the extra time it has been given because of dithering by National MPs to make sure quarry workers and others working in isolated high-risk industries are as safe as possible.
Fairfax can't use restructure to cut terms and conditions
Press Releases by Iain Lees-Galloway · May 28, 2015
The restructure and upheavals at Fairfax should not be used as an opportunity to cut journalists' terms and conditions, Labour spokesperson for Labour Issues Iain Lees-Galloway says.
"Businesses have to adapt to new technologies and consumer demands and there is no doubt that media and journalism have been impacted by massive and rapidly accelerating change in recent years.
Labour reforms encourage bad employers to be bullies
The Government's changes to labour laws have created a climate that allows bad employers to bully their workers, Labour's spokesperson for Labour Issues Iain Lees-Galloway says.
"Tauranga worker Bertie Ratu was threatened by her employer Talley's for asking her local MP Te Ururoa Flavell on Facebook to sign a petition supporting the meat workers' negotiations with the company.
People trying to save lives don't deserve abuse
WorkSafe New Zealand staff trying to save lives on farms shouldn't be subjected to a tirade of verbal abuse from a Member of Parliament, Labour's spokesperson for Labour Issues Iain Lees-Galloway says.
"Chester Borrows has labelled WorkSafe New Zealand officials 'dickheads' for trying to improve safety on our farms.
McDonald's serves up some McHappiness
Unite Union and McDonald's have given New Zealand a perfect way to celebrate May Day by reaching a settlement that strikes another blow against zero-hour contracts, Labour spokesperson for Labour Issues Iain Lees-Galloway says.
"Earlier this week it looked like Unite and McDonald's had reached an impasse in negotiations.
Worker safety top of mind tomorrow and beyond
Press Releases by Iain Lees-Galloway · April 27, 2015
Workers' Memorial Day, commemorated tomorrow, is both a time to reflect and to encourage a better safety culture in all workplaces, says Labour's spokesperson for Labour Issues Iain Lees-Galloway.
"On Worker's Memorial Day, working people across New Zealand will remember those who have been killed and injured at work and their families.
Time for McDonald's to upsize work hours
Labour is calling on McDonald's to have more respect for their workers and offer them more guaranteed work hours.
McDonald's is proposing to guarantee its workers 80 per cent of their rostered hours, Labour's spokesperson for Labour Issues Iain Lees-Galloway says.
Burger King shows zero-hour contracts not needed
The abandonment of zero-hour contracts by Burger King is further evidence good employers do not need to use them, Labour's spokesperson on Labour Issues Iain Lees-Galloway says.
"Congratulations to the Unite Union and Burger King for settling an employment agreement that will significantly improve the position of its workers.
Cotton On first to test the tea breaks law
Australian corporate Cotton On, the first major business operating in New Zealand to exploit the new tea breaks law, could walk away from negotiations if it doesn't get its own way, says Labour Party Labour Relations spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway.
"Cotton On has lodged a belated claim to reduce tea break arrangements to the bare minimum required in law during collective bargaining with FIRST Union members.