Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Wellington
Reference No [2018] NZERA Wellington 13
Hearing date 15-Nov-17
Determination date 07 February 2018
Member M Loftus
Representation J Bates ; S Meikle
Location Napier
Parties Pan Pac Forest Products Ltd v First Union Inc. & Anor
Other Parties E Tu Inc.
Summary DISPUTE – Parties disputed interpretation and operation of Collective Employment Agreement (“CEA”) – Applicant sought a determination that its proposal to restructure is lawful and in accordance with CEA – First respondent argued applicants should not be granted remedies sought and is seeking to advance a matter it chose to abandon during collective bargaining
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND – DISPUTE: Schedules of CEA specify applicable work schedules. The manning structure can be considered a work schedule. Manning structure includes both CS2 and CS2 Stacker positions. Where there is change to a work schedule the variation clause must be used. This means the manning schedule cannot be excluded from use of the variation clause. The ability to review a schedule is also limited to technological change and the imperative here is economical change. CEA between applicant and first respondent provide for a clear and express fetter on applicants ability to remove CS2 and CS2 Stacker positions by restructuring.
Result Questions answered in favour of first respondent ; Costs reserved
Main Category Dispute
Statutes ERA s174E(b)(ii)
Cases Cited Toll NZ Consolidated Ltd (formally Tranz Rail Ltd) v NZ Seafarers Union Inc and Maritime Union of NZ Inc [2004] 1 ERNZ 392 , Vector Gas Ltd v Bay of Plenty Energy Ltd [2010] 2 NZLR 444
Number of Pages 7
PDF File Link: 2018_NZERA_Wellington_13.pdf [pdf 113 KB]