More than 1000 workers from around the country turned out today to protest against the government's proposed changes to the labour laws.
Unions claim extending the 90-day trial period and other law reforms will strip workers of their rights and protesters turned out in force in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Teachers, bankers and public sector staff were among demonstrators representing about 40 unions and making a stand against the planned changes.
The bill to bring in the change passed its first reading in parliament on Thursday.
Workers are particularly unhappy about the planned extension of the trial period which means a new employee can be sacked without the right to take a personal grievance.
"We are sick of the way the country is heading, which is more for the rich and less for low income workers," John Ryall from the Service and Food Workers union said.
Unions are also outraged at the crackdown on workers taking sick leave, with employers able to demand medical certificates for taking just one day off sick.
"I know how impossible it is to get a sick note for one day's leave, and the reality is that people will be spooked by that ," said Frances Nelson from the New Zealand Educational Institute.
And under the new laws employers will also have the power to refuse unions access to workplaces.
The government plans on passing the proposed changes into law later this year but unions say their fight is only just beginning.
The Dunedin protest will take place tomorrow.
Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly was impressed with the turnout at all three venues and said there were very strong feelings about how unfair the law is.
"This was the start of our campaign against these unfair law changes. Today we are announcing a national day of action on Wednesday 20 October," said Kelly.
"The Fairness at Work campaign will include submissions to the select committees on the Holidays and Employment Relations Acts, and we will be taking our message to parliament, to employers, to workplaces and to the public over the coming months," she said.
"The government proposals are unworkable, unnecessary and unfair."
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