This week on Back Benches:
CASUALIZATION OF WORKERS: The union protests at the Ports of Auckland continues—the Maritime Union wants a continuation of eight-hour shifts and job security. While the ports wants greater flexibility and productivity. But is greater flexibility—the casualization of the workforce—the future? Should any worker expect job security? Have the needs of workers and businesses changed? Is the age of 9-5 over? Or are businesses thinking only of themselves?
JOB CUTS: Every industry is looking to cut money from their budgets and our State Sector is not any different. MFAT is looking to save $40million but they are not alone with the Defence force and the Police are looking at places to save, too. Some 3500 public sector jobs are set to go but does this mean a cut in services. Or was the industry bloated in need of big cost cutting measures? With new technologies—do we need as much staff? Is the future doing more with less?
Panel: Green Party MP Gareth Hughes, Labour MP Kris Faafoi, and National MP Ian McKelvie.
Wednesday 14 March, from 9:05pm, on TVNZ 7.
For someone that is working on casual basis, they often have to go pick up another casual job to make ends meet. It ends up with the worker having a to juggle more than one role, and it only leaves significant unproductive in-between hours for the worker. It is only the employer that benefits.
Just out of interest, is this word spelt casualisation or casualization? I’ve seen it spelt with a z recently, and it just doesn’t look right. Is this the American v British spelling thing?
@ James
Yes indeed.
Now New Zealanders are starting to see National’s ‘Brighter Future’.
1.1 Billion in tax cuts for the well off.
Job losses, casualisation and Dickensian employers for everyone else.
The Union protests are not continuing…the union thuggery has just commenced.
“But is greater flexibility—the casualization of the workforce—the future?” – I bleepin hope not!
!
“was the industry bloated in need of big cost cutting measures?” No!
!
“With new technologies—do we need as much staff?” – Lemme put it this way, hands up who likes endless phone menus with voice commands instead of operators?
?
“Is the future doing more with less?” – See above
Go Kris!
Yeeeee haaaa! 
!!!!!!!
The Tax Cuts had to be made, how are the rich going to maintain their lifestyles with costs going up, petrol, food etc all rising.
These workers are lucky to have a job, and they are going to just have to co=operate.
The “z” vs. “s” is my error. As a American/New Zealander I often get mixed up between the two. My apologies.
Sincerely,
Caroline Bruner
Producer, Back Benches
I will never vote Labour again. My ancestors were Labour and my great grandfather was one of the first Presidents of the FOL. He would turn in his grave to see the way the blue collar workers rights have steadily been eroded over the last two decades.
I advise my young relatives to leave and cross the Tasman where workers rights are respected and Unions still have some power. Unions are powerless here.
This idea of contracting out work is not confined to big business. So called contractors are being hired by small businesses to avoid paying holiday pay etc. Its an absolute disgrace. The Labour party has done nothing about these practices which are rife now in this country.
I am glad my grandparents who worked tirelessly for the Party are no longer alive to see what has happened to the Party they so fervently believed in.