Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Wellington
Reference No WA 108/08
Hearing date 28 Aug 2007 : 17 January 2008 (2 days)
Determination date 21 August 2008
Member A Dumbleton
Representation S Mitchell ; G Carter, V Donaghy
Location Wellington
Parties New Zealand Meat Workers Union v PPCS Ltd
Summary DISPUTE – Applicant sought declaration night boners on three night boning (“3NB”) shift redundant under collective employment agreement (“CEA”) one and a half years prior – Flood caused early closure of 3NB shift, and shift not resumed in following season – Applicant accepted redundancy situation not created by early closure of 3NB shift by reason of flooding, as employment was seasonal – Applicant claimed 3NB shift workers redundant when not called back to work following seasonal lay off – Respondent argued affected workers employed in position of “meat workers” not “3NB shift workers” and that no redundancy situation as not offered same or similar work for following season – Parties accepted 3NB shift not resumed and respondent offered employees on 3NB shift permanent employment on three day boning (“3DB”) shift – Some employees accepted while others did not – Authority found respondent sought to re-employ employees – Authority found NZ Meat Processors etc IUOW v Alliance Freezing Co (Southland) Ltd [1991] 1 ERNZ 1213 applied – Found those employed on 3NB shift who were offered permanent work on 3DB shift not redundant in meaning of CEA – Found day position was suitable alternative to night position – Found loss of position but no loss of employment – Found workers not superfluous to respondent’s needs and core functions of work remained same - Authority found shift workers concerned not redundant for purposes of CEA - Night boners
Result Questions answered ; Costs reserved
Main Category Dispute
Cases Cited NZ Meat Processors etc IUOW v Alliance Freezing Co (Southland) Ltd [1991] 1 ERNZ 1213
Number of Pages 6
PDF File Link: wa 108_08.pdf [pdf 24 KB]