Worker rights restored under Greens
The Green Party has proposed that we should make union membership automatic, with the ability to opt out. This a no brainer to restore some balance to the employment relationship. The 1991 Employment Contracts Act effectively deregulated our labour market by abolishing compulsory unionism, making bargaining voluntary, and nullifying nationwide industry awards, it stripped away widespread collective rights and shifted the balance of power heavily toward individual contracts and employers. Union membership has plummeted from almost 50% in the 1980s to around 18% today. Disinformation has always existed about unions because employers have the most power and influence. I note the headlines that the Green union policy will drag NZ back to the "dinosaur age". Sadly many workers have been convinced that their interests are best met outside of unions and collectivism is promoted an evil 'communist' concept. The neoliberal economic system we have embraced is one of individual...