From March ’09 workers in small businesses will be able to be sacked for no reason at all, in their first 90 days of employment.
In Auckland Unite union and other groups, including the Workers Party, have been preparing to defend workers sacked under the new law
You can expect to see Unite’s 6 meter high inflatable rat outside any workplace where people are sacked under the new law.
To prepare for solidarity pickets and build more support teams
Meet: Saturday, February 28, 12 noon, Aotea Square, CBD
Several hundred people have already registered at Workers Party stalls to give solidarity to any sacked workers.
Activists in regions/cities should attempt to keep track of verified use of the fire at will law on workers and look at publishing blame and shame flyers, and getting same info into local media, an updated list perhaps, and print appropriate stickers to place on employers premises indicating they use the fire at will law. Also consumer boycotts might be employed along with pickets as an when they can be organised.
While this hardly constitutes major class fightback it is something practical that people (including supporters and family/workmates of the sacked) can do. “Its not OK to treat workers like shit” is a message that needs to be spread to all the tin pot small businesses out there. Plus “Nact” want to spread this law to all employers sooner rather than later. Come March/April there will be two distinct types of New Zealanders under legislation, those with work rights (limited as they are) and those without.