New Zealand's biggest private sector union has submitted a petition to Government House in a bid to stop National's 90-day employment bill.
Parliament has passed legislation under urgency making it easier for businesses with fewer than 20 staff to sack new workers during a 90-day probationary period.
The bill passed by 63 votes to 51 on Friday and will take effect in March. It did not go through a select committee stage.
The Engineering, Manufacturing and Print Union on Friday handed over a petition signed with at least 4000 signatures asking that Governor-General Anand Satyanand use his royal assent to delay or refuse the bill.
EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says the bill is too radical and damages workers' rights.
It is requesting that the bill be rejected until it has been through a select committee process.
Workers advised not to join small firms
A group of employment lawyers is warning people against taking up new jobs with small companies in light of the new law.
Helen White, a barrister who deals in employment law, says people should avoid taking up jobs with small companies unless they can afford to lose that job.
The Labour Party says it will repeal the new law when it is next in government.
