Compass wages flying dangerously low

31 March 2009

Compass wages flying dangerously low

Catering workers at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Ohakea defence base near Palmerston North will be going on strike on Wednesday following a breakdown in negotiations with their employer Compass Group PLC - a contractor who also provide services to the New Zealand Army.

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. The strike action follows a 24 hour work stoppage on Monday (30 March).

"The union has done everything we can to resolve negotiations amicably but the company has done everything in their power to undermine negotiation talks." said SFWU organiser Sam Jones.

"They have stalled and cancelled meetings claiming they need time to speak to their client (the New Zealand Airforce) and negotiate for more money so they can pay better wages. Members waited patiently from December to Mid March and Compass turned up with no offer. Compass just got their contract renewed, and yet they are still offering poverty wages to their staff!" said Sam Jones.

"One of our members has worked at the base for over 30 years, and yet she is only on the minimum wage. In fact her hourly rate is actually $12.35 an hour plus a 15c an hour 'skills allowance. It's very unfair." said SFWU delegate Dave Clarke.

"They have now offered $13 an hour but only to staff who haven't had an increase in the previous 12 months, and that still compares miserably with the wages paid to hospital catering staff who are on $14.62 an hour." said SFWU organiser Linda Deans.

The workers are expected to go on strike again on Wednesday.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

Compass Group PLC own several catering brands, including Eurest, Medirest and Restaurant Associates, and provide food, vending and related services to clients and customers in workplaces, schools and colleges, hospitals and aged care facilities, as well as for the Royal New Zealand Air Force and New Zealand Army - who access a number of services including food and catering, cleaning, housekeeping, supply logistics and bar services.

According to their own website:
"....Compass Group PLC has annual revenues of NZ$28 billion and employs 450,000 people in over 90 countries.

In New Zealand, Compass Group has operations across more than 330 sites, employing more than 2,000 people and an annual turnover of approximately NZ$100million."
Source: http://www.compass-group.co.nz/compass_about_us.html

ENDS

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