Industrial action on the horizon at Ohakea base

9 April 2009
For Immediate release
  
More industrial action on the horizon at Ohakea defence base
 
More industrial action looms at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Ohakea defence base near Palmerston North, as catering workers continue their dispute with their employer, Compass Group PLC.
 
The workers, who are members of the Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota have been in negotiations with their employer for over six months, and have been unable to reach an agreement over pay and conditions. They are employed by Compass Group PLC - a contractor who also provide services to the New Zealand Army.
 
The workers took industrial action 10 days ago, following which, Compass asked for urgent mediation. A further offer from Compass has now been rejected by the workers, and they are not ruling out further industrial action.
 
"The workers waited patiently for five days after the mediation for a new offer, only to find that the new offer has removed some of the original conditions!" said SFWU organiser Sam Jones.
 
"The original offer included increasing the minimum rate to $13 an hour, with backpay for staff who didn't get the increase last year. They have now made an additional offer to increase the hourly rate to $13.50 for staff with 12 months service, but have withdrawn their original offer to backpay staff to July 2008. They are now only offering to pay them backpay to December 2008. It may not seem important to a huge company like Compass, but to the workers the backpay means a great deal, and they have rejected the offer unanimously." said Sam Jones.
 
"Many of our members are unhappy with the new offer because it doesn't represent any change for them. They will still be on $13 an hour from July 2009, which a decent living wage. Hospital workers around the country working for Compass have been sending messages of support to us which has been great and Compass staff at Whenuapai are watching this dispute with interest." says site delegate Dave Clarke.
 
ENDS

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