Attention Education and Industrial reporters

Massey Cleaners sacking puts the spotlight on redundancy rights

A test case involving sixty sacked Massey University cleaners this week will put the spotlight on redundancy rights for as many as thirty thousand New Zealanders.

The sixty cleaners, represented by the Service and Food Workers Union, will go to the Employment Court in Wellington this Thursday contesting their dismissal with no redundancy by OCS Ltd, a UK based cleaning contractor.

SFWU spokesperson Alastair Duncan says the cleaners face being sacked after OCS decided to slash full time jobs to just 31 weeks part time work a year.

The Union will be asking the Court to rule that the cleaners are entitled to redundancy pay.

"Historically commercial cleaning has been a cut throat business with tight margins. That left staff exposed with little or no job security until 2004 when Parliament sensibly regulated to provide stability in the sector.

"Since 2004 staff have been able to transfer from contractor to contractor without fearing for their jobs. By its actions OCS has undermined the entire industry."

Alastair Duncan says OCS has placed its competitors in a 'no win situation'.

"If OCS is correct then workers will be very, very reluctant to agree to transfer to new employers when contracts change. That will leave the outgoing contractor overstaffed and building owners in the position of not knowing who is cleaning their property.

"But if the SFWU is correct then the entire industry is about to face claims for redundancy entitlements.

"Either way it's a 'no win' for the contractors and property owners."

Alastair Duncan says the union has asked Massey Vice Chancellor Steve Maharey to intervene to stop the sackings.

"The Court will rule on the issue of redundancy entitlements. But Steve Maharey can stop the dismissals altogether."

ENDS

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