Genesis call centre workers plan action

25 October, 2011

EPMU Media Release

Genesis Energy call centre workers plan to hang up on their employer next month

Workers at Genesis Energy’s Hamilton call centre have today given notice to take industrial action on Monday 14 November as anger mounts over a company claim for an individualised performance based pay system.

The Genesis workers’ union, the EPMU, has been in negotiations for a new collective since the middle of the year when the existing document expired. EPMU national industry organiser, Joe Gallagher, says the company’s push for individualised performance-based pay undermines the foundation principles of collective bargaining under the Employment Relations Act.

“Genesis call centre workers are not highly paid. They have joined the EPMU because they want to bargain with their employer collectively on wages and conditions. They want to address the inequality of bargaining power that exists in their company but Genesis are keen to make sure their employees can’t get a fair deal on wages.” says Mr Gallagher.

“You’d have to question the company’s motives. Their bargaining strategy would fit nicely with government plans if the company was preparing itself for privatisation. Genesis would then be able to say to potential buyers that they’ve screwed down wages so there’ll be a better return to shareholders.”

Genesis Energy is a state-owned enterprise that is involved with the generation and retailing of electricity and natural gas. It supplies nearly 20% of the country’s power needs. The company reports that it has over 650,000 customers across the country.

Because Genesis Energy is an essential industry, the EPMU is required to give at least 14 days notice of industrial action. Over 80 EPMU members at the Call Centre plan to picket their company offices in Hamilton on 14 November.

ENDS

© Scoop Media