CTU MEDIA RELEASE

20 October 2010

The Council of Trade Unions says that 22,000 workers walked off the job today to protest against attacks on their rights at work.

Helen Kelly, CTU President, said “New Zealanders believe in everyone having a fair go. Removing the right to appeal against unfair dismissal is clearly more unpopular than the Government was banking on.”

She said that workers at the protest rallies today will now take the issues back to their communities.

“We are confident the support for fairness at work will grow,” said Helen Kelly. “We are determined to keep campaigning on these issues, including during the general election next year.”

Helen Kelly called on John Key to listen to the concerns of workers.

Rallies were held in nearly 30 different locations throughout New Zealand, including TelstraClear Stadium where 7,000 workers crammed inside. Nationwide, numbers swelled throughout the afternoon as events were held in other centres.