Rally to discuss new labour laws today

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A rally to voice concerns and help educate workers about proposed changes to the labour laws is to take place in South Auckland today.

Organisers expect thousands to turn up to the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau for the 1pm start.

Those gathered will be addressed by Helen Kelly, the president of the Council of Trade Unions; Bill Newson of the Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union; Sina Famelitau, who's a cleaner at Auckland Airport; and Annie Newman, a Living wage campaigner.

Mr Newson said the changes proposed by the government are extreme and will see the pendulum swing too far in favour of employers.

He said the rally today is very important for informing workers about what the overhaul means to them and that the organisers don't lightly ask people to leave work to attend the rally.

The Fairness at Work rally organisers said changes to the Employment Relations Act will allow employers to refuse to negotiate a collective agreement with employees, pay new workers less than the rate of the collective agreement, and be able to opt out of industry agreements to undercut wages.

They said basic rights could also be lost or impinged on - such as the right to meal and rest breaks and the imposition of more restrictions on the right to strike.

The Fairness at Work rally starts at 1pm this afternoon.