Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 301/07
Hearing date 18 Sep 2007 - 20 Sep 2007 (2 days)
Determination date 01 October 2007
Member A Dumbleton
Representation S Mitchell ; A Caisley, R Larmer
Location Auckland
Parties Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota Inc v Air New Zealand Ltd
Summary DISPUTE - Whether applicant’s consent required before respondent changed shift work rosters - Respondent’s discontent with present 6/3 rosters expressly noted in collective employment agreement (“CEA”) - Respondent subsequently proposed new 5/2 roster as part of “in-house solution” agreed with other unions to avoid outsourcing work - Applicant did not agree to change CEA to conform with solution - Sought declaration respondent did not have contractual power to change roster in circumstances - Contended changes could not be shown to be for purpose of meeting “needs of the service” as required by CEA - Respondent gave applicant required notice and endeavoured to consult - CEA provided respondent could revert to standard 5/2 shift pattern if no agreement reached - Reversion to standard shirt provision not subject to “needs of the service” qualification - Respondent had contractual power to change roster in absence of agreement with applicant provided it consulted after giving of notice of change - Obiter comments on “needs of the service”
Result Question answered in favour of respondent ; Costs reserved
Main Category Dispute
Cases Cited G N Hale & Sons Ltd v. Wellington etc Caretakers etc IUOW [1990] 2;NZILR 1079
Number of Pages 10
PDF File Link: aa 301_07.pdf [pdf 45 KB]