Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No [2015] NZERA Auckland 275
Hearing date 17-Feb-15
Determination date 10 September 2015
Member Robin Arthur
Representation J Lawrie ; S Hornsby-Geluk
Location Auckland
Parties New Zealand Nurses Organisation and Anor v Tairawhiti District Health Board
Other Parties Marshall
Summary DISPUTE – Parties disputed international of clauses in collective employment agreement (“CEA”) concerning service and salary steps – Nurses
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND –DISPUTE: Purpose of provisions to retain access to entitlements triggered by length of service. Placement on salary step not discretionary. Number of days service was what mattered, not anniversary date by itself. Context of other clauses did not suggest other meaning. Interpretation did not offend common business sense. Subsequent conduct did not suggest other meaning. Question answered in favour of applicant.
Result Question answered in favour of applicant ; Costs reserved
Main Category Dispute
Cases Cited Aste Te Hau Takitini O Aotearoa v Hampton, Chief Executive of the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic [2002] 1 ERNZ 491 (EmpC) ; Fagotti v Acme Ltd [2015] NZEmpC 135 ; Hansell (NZ) Ltd v Ma [2007] ERNZ 637 ; PBO Ltd (formerly Rush Security Ltd) v Da Cruz [2005] ERNZ 808 (EmpC) ; Silver Fern Farms Ltd v New Zealand Meat Workers and Related Trades Union Inc [2010] NZCA 317, [2010] ERNZ 317 ; Vector Gas Ltd v Bay of Plenty Energy Ltd [2010] NZSC 5, [2010] 2 NZLR 444
Number of Pages 14
PDF File Link: 2015_NZERA_Auckland_275.pdf [pdf 322 KB]