The Motel Association Take Another Jump To The Left?

Part of the Holidays Act Review will be to investigate trading annual leave for cash at the employee's request. This would mean employees would be entitled to choose to take payment as opposed to taking the fourth week off.

For business owners you would think that the support for this proposal that gives increased flexibility and choice in the workplace would be a no-brainer. The proposal is after all supported by mainstream business groups led by Business New Zealand.

So what is the position of The Motel Association (MANZ)?

Well, MANZ that claims to represent 1000 motel businesses is joining the Council of Trade Unions and Socialist Workers Party of New Zealand in their opposition to this proposal.

Quite frankly we are dumbfounded and saddened with a further example of woolly thinking by MANZ.

Thank goodness for Fergus Brown, head of the Holiday Park Association of New Zealand that was able to speak some common sense on this issue.

WILL HINE in Queenstown
The Southland Times

08/06/2009

Leave changes could hurt motel industry - MANZ

Moteliers could lose business if workers are allowed to take money from employers in lieu of annual leave, the head of the Motel Association of New Zealand says.

The Government is considering amending the Holidays Act to permit workers to trade annual leave for cash.

Association chief executive Michael Baines said 72 per cent of moteliers' business came from domestic holidaymakers.

"If you take away those people's opportunity to take holidays, then you take away our potential market. That could create problems."

The association represents about 1000 motels, or 70 per cent, of those operating in New Zealand, Mr Baines said.

"We've already got too many beds and not enough customers. If we have fewer people taking holidays, it's going to get a lot tougher."

But Holiday Park Association of New Zealand chief executive Fergus Brown said he supported the legislation review.

The association represents about 300, or 75 per cent, of New Zealand holiday parks.

Allowing workers to cash in leave would enable Kiwi families to finance their holidays, Mr Brown said.
"If someone decides they want to give their family a holiday, they could trade back some leave, get the money and go on holiday."

A review could also benefit holiday park operators by helping them to manage the entitlements of seasonal workers, Mr Brown said.

A five-person working party overseeing the Holidays Act review is expected to report back to Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson in December.

Source: Click HERE