21 October 2011

Unions file against aggressive act

The PSA and the SFWU have filed for an injunction to stop Pact locking out its employees.

“We consider the lockout to be unlawful,” says PSA Acting National Secretary Jeff Osborne.

“This is a deeply aggressive act against these low-paid workers, mainly women, who are simply trying to gain modest improvements to their working conditions.

“It is plainly designed to intimidate union members into not taking part in lawful industrial action.”

Members had merely planned a ban on paperwork followed by two-hour stop work meetings on 26 October to support their bargaining team.

SFWU advocate Alastair Duncan said the lockout notice was both legally flawed and morally indefensible.

“For an organisation that purports to care for vulnerable New Zealanders, Pact has shown a callous disregard for its own staff,” he said.

“No other employer in the sector acts this way. Pact needs to get its act together.”

“The employer’s response to this has been out of all proportion to the proposed action and highlights the difficulties that we have been experiencing in trying to reach a fair pay settlement,” says Jeff Osborne.

Despite Pact reporting a great financial year, it has refused to move from its initial offer of a 1 per cent pay rise. Given the level of inflation this would create real financial hardship for union members.

Jeff Osborne says the unions have filed proceedings in the Employment Court seeking an immediate injunction restraining the lockout.

ENDS

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