Media release Tuesday, October 16th, 2001

Employment Authority cases deliver fair deal

Of 276 cases heard before the Employment Relations Authority since its inception one year ago, employees have won 119 (43 per cent), employers 87 (31.5 per cent) with no winners emerging from the remaining 70 cases (25.4 per cent).

The Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) which carried out the analysis of the Authority's decisions, says the more interesting story is revealed when they are examined regionally.

In Auckland of 152 cases, the Authority found for employees on 59 occasions (38.8 per cent) and employers for 54 cases (35.5 per cent), with no winners found on 39 occasions.

In Wellington of 75 cases, employees won 34 (45 per cent), employers 17 (22.7 per cent) with 24 inconclusive. In Christchurch of 49 cases, employees won 26 (53 per cent), employers 16 (32.6 per cent) and no winners just seven times.

"Auckland employers should be feeling pleased," said Peter Tritt, EMA's Manager for Advisory Services.

"Northern employers seem to be getting a better deal than their counterparts further south. The Authority seems to be harder on employers in Wellington and even more so in Christchurch.

"Of course that's not necessarily the case as our analysis does not look at the precise nature of all the cases being heard.

"Employers can nevertheless take heart from the Authority's decisions that they are getting a fair hearing, and in many cases are being found to have committed no wrong."

Comments: Peter Tritt tel 09 367 0921 (b)

09 845 5532 (h)

025 796 807

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