Unions launch 'name and shame' campaign

90-day employment law to be widened to business world. Rod Emmerson

Unions are about to launch a "name and shame" campaign against the 90-day probation law.

They have been threatening to identify businesses they claim have exploited workers since Prime Minister John Key challenged them to "put up or shut up" over the employment law that allows new employees to be sacked within the 90-day period without the right to claim unfair dismissal.

It currently covers businesses with 19 or fewer employees and the Government intends extending it to all businesses.

Unions say that will affect 400,000 workers - the number that start jobs or change jobs each year - and they claim to know of cases of unfair dismissal.

TV One News reported tonight one case had already been posted on YouTube, about former Hutt Valley pharmacy employee Heather Smith.

Ms Smith said she worked at a Stokes Valley pharmacy for nearly three years but had to re-apply for her job after the business changed ownership.

She says she was sacked a few weeks later, with no exact reason given.

The pharmacy confirmed to TV One that she had been fired under the 90-day law.

Earlier this week an opinion poll showed that 60 per cent of 1000 voters questioned about the law supported it being extended to all businesses.

- NZPA