Good news for workers

Workers' rights get an airing in Parliament this afternoon, and this is one area of workers' rights that we support wholeheartedly. 

It's Members' Day in the House, and the first Members' Order of the Day is the Third Reading of Tau Henare's Employment Relations (Secret Ballots for Strikes) Amendment Bill. As the title of the Bill suggests, it will require unions to conduct a secret ballot when strike action is being considered. No longer will unions be able to simply have a show of hands in a crowded smoko room or even at the pub, where members who may not support strike action are open to intimidation or bullying from more militant union members.

We commend Tau Henare for steering this small but signifcant Bill through all its stages. Debate will commence immediately after the General Debate, probably around 4pm.

 We doubt that the Maritime Union of New Zealand (local 13) will be as enthusiastic as we are however. One wonders what the outcome might have been had secret ballots been conducted over strike action at the Ports of Auckland, rather than at the free-for-alls at a neighbouring tavern.