Hubbard, James, 1949- : Scientists give chill warnings on climate. 3 April 2011

A worker stands on the edge of a tiny island on which stands a small building that represents 'workers' rights' and stares with consternation at the surrounding sea that respresents 'employment laws' and that is eroding the island. The worker holds a newspaper that reports 'Scientists give chill warnings on climate'. Context - Scientists opened a climate change conference in Wellington yesterday (31 March 2011) by stating that changes in climate being experienced around the globe were beyond their worst-case scenarios. The founding director of the Climate Change Research Institute, Martin Manning, said policy-makers needed to stop waiting for scientists to come up with answers about trends for the future, or definite measurements for how much sea levels or temperatures would rise by. Almost simultaneously, devastating floods battered Sir Lanka, Brazil and Queensland earlier this year. Professor Manning said policy-makers should start getting prepared for greater risks, instead of waiting for the lengthy process of scientists linking events together. "We can't wait till the scientists understand everything." (Stuff 1 April 2011) Employment law changes in New Zealand took effect 1 April have given all employers the right to dismiss employees within a first 90-day "trial" period, with no rights to grievance procedure. This rule previously applied for small businesses of fewer than 20 employees. Now it applies in all workplaces, no matter the side of the workforce. The regressive changes also include restrictions on trade union access to a worksite, relaxation of fairness tests on dismissals, the ability of employers to bypass the union in collective negotiations, the possibility to exchange holiday days for money, the right to shift public holidays without payment, and the right for employers to demand a medical certificate for one day's sick leave. There is nothing fair in the workplace law changes, according to ICEM-affiliated Engineering, Printing, and Manufacturing Union (EPMU). (International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions 11 April 2011)

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