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Wairarapa MP, Georgina Beyer, says the new employment law, which comes into effect today, will give employers and employees in Wairarapa an opportunity to work more closely together.
"And it will restore basic rights to employees which have been denied them for over a decade'', said Ms Beyer.
"We promised to repeal the Employment Contracts Act and we have kept that promise."
Ms Beyer says the new law establishes balance between:
the rights of employers to run their businesses as they see fit with the rights of employees to be treated fairly and
the rights of individual employees with the rights of groups of collectively organised employees
"The Employment Relations Act promotes collective bargaining and encourages democratic unionism. But there are significant restrictions on strikes and lockouts. An over-riding requirement on employees, unions, employers and managers is to act in good faith.
"In addition, the law does not bring back elements of the so-called 'bad old days' such as compulsory unionism, compulsory arbitration or national awards.
"And in Wairarapa many workplaces already operate on a good faith basis.
"That's why I don't expect Wairarapa will see a return to the days in which wage increases occurred irrespective of productivity", said Ms Beyer.
The Labour Department is organising an information campaign to help employers, managers, employees and unions to make the law work for them in their workplaces. Employers and employees in the Wairarapa who want more information can call 0800 800 863 or visit www.ers.dol.govt.nz
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