The first offer from SkyCity to Unite members was rejected almost unanimously at the stopwork meetings.
A strike committee was elected and authorised to coordinate all initiatives to reach a settlement – including negotiations, talking to outside groups and other unions.
If we are unable to resolve the negotiations within 4 weeks the committee is empowered to take all action – including industrial action – to progress a settlement.
The company offer was sent to those on IEAs which has led to a surge of recruitment to the union. Sea-Unite also feels this action by the company violates the law by deliberately undermining the collective bargaining process.
Sea-Unite has also initiated bargaining for a separate collective agreement to cover salaried staff and it may be possible that any action needed to reach settlements can be coordinated. A big welcome should be given to the newest salaried group to join from Surveillance.
Another round of stopwork meetings will be held in 3 weeks to update members.
• New pay rates start July 1
• 1 year term for CEA
• Minimum rate $12.50 per hour
• 5% on all other rates
• Refund of COA in full
• Company to pay tolls if introduced
• Protection for part-time and casual staff
• 3 days extra parental sick leave
• Reduction of short staffing
• Clothing/dry cleaning allowance for own uniforms
• All meetings in company time
• 30 minute meal breaks for all staff
Housekeeping staff at SkyCity Hotel will be meeting this Saturday, June 24, to discuss the how to respond to the company cutting their regular shift span from 8 hours to anything between 4 and 8.
Sea-Unite have put in a claim that all rostered hours worked less than 8 per day should be back paid and the 8-hour shift restored.
Housekeeping (including part-timers) have been on rostered 8-hour daily shifts since the hotel opened. A number of housekeepers have this in their letter of appointment or were told that when employed. Some changed employment from other hotels because of it. |