SkyCity boss misleads public over workers lost shifts

SkyCity CEO Nigel Morrison “not telling the truth”.

By Mike Treen (Unite National Director) and John Crocker (Unite SkyCity Organiser)

SkyCity CEO Nigel Morrison has defended the employment practices at his company in an “Opinion” piece entitled “Human Capital key to corporate success” in the NZ Herald on Thursday.

A number of his claims are misleading, contain only partial truths or are exaggerations. In one important respect when discussing a SkyCity worker what he says is simply untrue.

To pride oneself on being a non-minimum wage employer when the start rate for many positions in the employment agreement is only 10 cents above the minimum wage is a partial truth at best. Apprentice chefs are also paid less than the minimum wage so to say “all” SkyCity employees are paid above is not accurate.

To boast about the training staff receive when the company deliberately changed its policy in order to stop paying trainee table game dealers during their training is a bit misleading. Now when SkyCity takes employees from WINZ, the taxpayer is paying a benefit to the worker during unpaid staff training.  They then subsidise their wages for a period if subsequently employed.

Casework: 15-year-old working nights at McDonald’s

 

By Bonita Belworthy, Unite Organiser, Central Districts

It is always good when you get a quick resolution of an issue that has been brought to your attention by a member.

Every day we get calls and emails from members who have workplace issues they need help with.

One recent case was particularly pleasing to resolve.

A 15-year-old employed at a McDonald’s restaurant was being required to work the over night shift. This was a concern for me as as I have worked nights in the fast food industry and a 15-year-old should not have to deal with the type of verbal abuse we receive from the customers that frequent during those hours.

This member was not aware that working after 10:30pm he was entitled to a Transport allowance of $5.00 per shift and that being rostered on for 3-4 shifts a week he had to be issued with two pairs of trousers.

So first thing of course is to get hold of the Franchisee owner. In this case we are lucky because this one is good at resolving legitimate concerns. The Franchisee responded quickly, thanked me for raising the concerns and stated that the member would no longer be rostered on the overnight shifts with a guarantee that his total hours will not be impacted in any way.

The Franchisee was also a bit concerned when I mentioned that the member did not receive the travel allowance as it was an automated function of their payroll system. It turns out the member did get paid this allowance and I was assured the Restaurant Manager will go over the payslip and show the member where this allowance is located.

With the trousers, the member will be receiving them on his next rostered shift.

So we had a change of shifts with his hours protected and new uniforms provided. All benefits of being a Unite Union member.

Leaving you with the song by Justice Crew, Que Sera.