Headline: Unite defends NZ Workers breaks from Government
Unite Union National Director Mike Treen presents the union’s submission to the parlaimentary sub committee discussing the proposed law changes in the industrial relations area.
Unite decided to focus its submission on a government proposal to remove the legal reuirements for breaks. Currently the law requires a 30 minute meal break after 4 hours work, a 10 minute rest break after working a minimum of two hours and a second 10-minute break after working six hours. The current law also allows the workers to decide to take their breaks in the middle of the relevant work periods if they aren’t able to agree to an alternative arrangement with their boss.
The new law simply says that breaks should be “reasonable” and compensation for missed breaks can be agreed.
Unite delgates from McDonald’s Taylor McLoon and Sean Bailey join Mike Treen to respond to questions from the select committee members.
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