Nasty turn at Pact

Union members at Otago/Southland disability support provider Pact have reacted with anger and concern after their employer issued suspension notices earlier today.

“The notices were another attempt to bully staff into taking a pay offer that is less than a quarter of the cost of living increase,” said Service and Food Workers Union advocate Ann Galloway.

“With the vast majority of Pact workers earning less than the average wage, and given the incredibly demanding nature of their work, Pact workers deserve a fair deal,” she said. “To threaten to cut the pay of people earning just a few dollars above the minimum wage is a nasty and cruel action.” Ann Galloway said Pact staff support some of the most vulnerable in our community.

“By threatening to send staff home Pact hurts both the workers and their clients,” she said.

The notices came just hours before the SFWU ended a ban on paperwork which has been in place for over a week.

“Last week the Employment Court issued an injunction to prevent Pact locking out its staff,” she said. “Today Pact has tried to suspend its staff. It is a bad look for an organisation that purports to care.”

Union members decided to end the paperwork ban and withdraw a threatened sleepover ban as a gesture of good faith.

“Now they are feeling angry and frustrated that PACT continues to act more like an oil company or sweat-shop than a care and support agency,” said Ann Galloway.

“SFWU and PSA delegates will attend court ordered mediation next Friday 4 November willing to negotiate and willing to compromise. Will Pact?”

ENDS

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