Breaks and breastfeeding bill welcome but what about the drivers?

The Council of Trade Unions has welcomed legislation passed yesterday guaranteeing minimum tea and lunch breaks, and provisions for women to breast feed at work, but is extremely concerned that meal breaks are being denied to truck and bus drivers following an amendment by New Zealand First.

“The law fills a big gap in our minimum employment provisions. It will contribute to standards of decency at work, mother and baby health, and will improve workplace health and safety,” CTU president Helen Kelly said.

“Unions regularly hear of workers being denied proper breaks and of work requirements interrupting breastfeeding so this new law is absolutely essential.”

“The amendment promoted by New Zealand First however, denying transport workers the two paid tea breaks during an 8 hour shift, is completely without foundation and is outrageous in an industry where safety is a real issue.”

“Bus and truck drivers will be very concerned that they are being treated as second class workers by a party that claims to stick up for working people.”

The CTU is now calling on the Minister of Transport to amend the regulations covering drivers to include these two breaks, Helen Kelly said.