Kremlinology: National on work rights

• Steve Pierson
• 16 years ago
• Categories: bill english, kremlinology, national, workers' rights
• Tags: agenda, bill english

National’s refusal to say what it stands for is becoming so ridiculous we have resorted to the Cold War art of Kremlinology. Today, we look at work rights.

On Agenda, Bill English said he is concerned about new ‘entitlements’ for workers. ‘Entitlements’ is an anti-worker way of saying work rights – it implies that they are some gift from a benevolent boss, who should also be allowed to take them away; not a right workers have won through struggle and the political process.

What are some of the work rights that have been introduced under Labour?

• Four weeks annual leave
• Minimum wage up 70% in eight years
• Paid parental leave
• Restoration of holiday pay
• The right to flexible work hours
• Promotion of collective bargaining
• End of youth pay rates
• Kiwisaver
• Right to meal breaks
• The right to breastfeed at work
• The right to union access to workplace
• Good faith bargaining
• The right to have unions recognised as legal entities

So, which of these new work rights does English want to remove?