Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 312/10
Hearing date 22 Oct 2009
Determination date 02 July 2010
Member J Wilson
Representation L Yukich ; G Service
Location Rotorua
Parties Robinson v Transfield Services (NZ) Ltd
Summary DISPUTE – Interpretation of Collective Employment Agreement (“CEA”) – Applicant claimed respondent unable to require applicant to work alternative days of week as party of ordinary hours of work – Respondent claimed able to require applicant to work new roster – Applicant argued contractual hours of work not those set out in letter of appointment or CEA but those agreed by manager which were worked from time of appointment – Applicant claimed hours verbally agreed with manager and assured not required to work weekends – Respondent claimed applicant’s hours of work provided for in letter of appointment and CEA and included requirement to work weekends on roster basis when required – Respondent claimed any assurance given applicant would not have to work weekends did not constitute amendment to conditions of employment as not in writing – Respondent claimed did not need applicant’s individual agreement to change hours of work – Authority found applicant’s terms and conditions based on CEA and included provisions set out in letter of appointment – Found no written agreement to amend conditions and any verbal understanding did not constitute amendment – Found individual employees could agree to specific conditions of employment as set out in personal letter – Found applicant’s personal letter stated applicant required to work weekends on roster basis – Found CEA preserved specific conditions agreed by individual employees including letters of appointment – Found respondent could not change applicant’s hours of work without agreement – Found respondent could require applicant to work weekends subject to reasonable consultation process carried out in good faith
Result Questions answered ; Costs reserved
Main Category Dispute
Statutes ERA s61(1)(b);ERA s61(2)
Number of Pages 8
PDF File Link: aa 312_10.pdf [pdf 37 KB]