SEAnews1107

HOUSEKEEPING AGAIN
It has become clear that Housekeepers have been taken advantage of once again. Pressure is often put on Housekeepers to do more than can be reasonably expected in the time allowed. Because of this Housekeepers have been coming in early, finishing late and missing their breaks to complete their allocated rooms. Managers have known about this but have adjusted their times to pay only their rostered hours.
THIS IS THEFT! SEA-Unite will be putting in for back pay. We have also had discussions with the SkyCity Hotel GM Paul Huggins. Paul has agreed to reduce the guideline on the number of rooms expected to be completed by an experienced Housekeeper from 16 to 15. We are also exploring ways of Housekeeping Supervisors to check with staff as finishing time is approaching so that additional help or authorized overtime can be arranged.
SEA-Unite will be monitoring the situation closely as these problems have gone on too long with unkept promises by previous GM’s. A union meeting for Housekeeping was held this week and we intend to have regular union meetings from now on to make sure any agreements are implemented.

PART-TIME TABLE GAME SHIFTS
The company has unilaterally brought in part-time shifts of 4-6 hours for people on the part-time roster. Until recently all shifts were 8 hours except for people working overtime. Because of this change some part-timers are being forced to work less than 8-hours when that was never their intention or agreement originally. It also means that some of them have cancelled when they are less than 8 hours. This, in turn, has lead to them being punished by having their shifts reduced or not being able to become full-time. Some of the shift patterns have been unreasonable as well.
We are looking at the legality of these new shifts. In the meantime we have asked the company to see if TG staff can indicate if they want 8-hour shifts only on their availability.

ALTERNATIVE DAYS (DAY IN LIEU)
The day we get off for working a public holiday belongs to the worker. It is the only day we can insist on having off if we give two-weeks notice. The company can’t refuse a request if we give two-weeks notice. If you have any problems contact your SEA-Unite delegate.
Also when applying for leave don’t put down #. If you do managers will take your lieu days first before your annuals. Always staTe what you want – annual or lieu days to be used.

ASSAULTS ON SECURITY STAFF
There have been a number of incidents recently of Security staff being assaulted. On one occasion a guard was alone in the car park and we are telling union members to only go down in pairs. On another occasion there appeared to be a reluctance by management to lay a complaint with the Police. We will be seeking clarification on procedure that needs following.

SKY CITY PROMOTION WINNER
UCU recently ran a promotion amongst Sky City employees in Auckland, inviting them to open up and activate an account with UCU and the result was a huge success in gaining new members.
The winner of the $1,000 promotion was Desmond Hunt (pictured) who when advised by UCU Representative Siu Armstrong that he’d won, his response was “Whatever….I have never won anything, are you serious? It took Siu some time convincing Des of his success and finally he responded with “Oh WOW!!

“The prize has come at a good time as my daughters 21st is coming up and it will go towards her birthday” says Des.
Stunned but happy at winning Des has also taken advantage of UCU’s incredibly low interest rates on personal loans and consolidated all his bills into one which has enabled him to keep more of his hard earned wages in his pocket.
Des concludes “A big thank you to UCU for making themselves known to workers in Sky City. We didn’t really know about UCU until recently but the word is really starting to spread at work”
Congratulations Des and we look forward to continuing our membership growth at Sky City.

BEING TAPPED OFF LATE
In Security and Table Games we are having regular instances of people being tapped off late at the end of their shift and not being paid for it.
This is unacceptable. Every member must insist on being paid for extra time. They dock us if we are a few minutes late and we should be paid for all minutes worked.

UNION MERGERS
The SFWU has approached the NDU for a merger. The NDU has asked Unite to join that process. Unite has agreed to begin discussions with both unions to see if there are benefits to a single big union in the Retail, Hospitality, Tourism and Services Sector.
SEA is affiliated to Unite. We are also the largest union in the Casino industry. If a merger occurs we would expect to become the union for all SkyCity employees affiliated to the new merged union.
We think this will be of benefit to all employees. We would have a single, democratic and much stronger union at SkyCity. This would help in negotiations next year for a single Collective Agreement for all SkyCity workers.

DELEGATES TRAINING DAY
We have a delegates Training Day planned for November 28. If you want to be part of this day please put your name into the drop box by November 13 or speak to a SEA-Unite officers. You will be paid for this day if selected.

MORE DELEGATES NEEDED
We want delegates in every department and on every shift. If you think you have it takes to help your fellow workers volunteer your name or suggest someone else.
DON’T GET ANGRY, GET ACTIVE!

FINGER SCANNING
New machines are on order and will be coming soon. Please report any faults to your departmental manager immediately.
The company has agreed to not block payment if you have made an attempt to scan. This includes “verified” or “scan abort”. You should at least try to scan out.