Green Party Proposes Automatic Union Membership for New Workers

The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand announced the Employment Relations (Automatic Union Membership) Amendment Bill during the E Tū 2026 Biennial Conference on July 16, 2026. The proposed legislation would make union membership the default setting for new employees in workplaces covered by collective agreements, requiring employers to enroll staff automatically, share contact details with the union, and provide information on collective agreements. Workers would retain the right to opt out at any time.

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU) endorsed the Bill, stating it removes practical barriers to membership and aligns with their 'A New Deal for Workers' policy. The NZCTU noted that New Zealand's real wages have fallen by 6.4 percent since 2021, the fastest decline in the OECD, and argued that increased collective bargaining is necessary to combat falling wages and inequality.

ACT MP Dr. Parmjeet Parmar condemned the proposal as government coercion that undermines free choice. In response, Dr. Parmar has drafted separate legislation intended to remove the legal requirement for employers to collect union membership fees. The Green Party has committed to including automatic union membership in its 2026 election platform and potential post-election coalition negotiations.