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all SkyCity Hotels & Casinos news
Unite News
Wed 5 Aug 09
Previous editions of Unite's email newsletter.
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Rosters and Hours of work in Cinemas
Mon 18 May 09
Over the last month several issues have been raised with Unite organisers regarding security or hours and roster protocols, the following is a summary of what your contract says about these important issues.
Improved offer for SkyCity workers
Tue 14 Oct 08
After 3 months of industrial action SkyCity members should be meeting next week to consider and vote on an improved offer from their employer.
The improved offer from SkyCity was made on Monday and so planned strike action on Tuesday night was called off. It’s usual in negotiations that when the union think an offer is reasonable they agree to take it back to their members for approval. It’s then expected as a sign of “good faith” to call off any industrial action until members meet. That was the situation in this case.
The exact details of some aspects have yet to be finalised but assumimg everything is satisfactory there will be meetings next week of union members to discuss and recommend a vote on a new Collective Employment Agreement (CEA) settlement.
Giant Rat Makes First Appearance at Saturday's SkyCity Strike
Mon 25 Aug 08
For the first time in New Zealand a giant inflatable rat was deployed by Unite Union on the weekend to draw attention to workers' plight at SkyCity.
Standing 20 foot high it was used outside SkyCity Casino at lunchtime on Saturday. The rat carried a placard saying "SkyCity: Don't be a rat - Give workers a fair deal."
"We wanted to tell the new SkyCity CEO Nigel Morrision not to be a rat and treat his staff decently," said Unite National Director Mike Treen.
"After all he is one of New Zealand's highest paid CEOs yet proposes to pay his workers the minimum wage and a wage offer to the rest of his staff that is less than the inflation rate."
Mr Treen said unions in the United States often used giant inflatable vermin placed outside particularly dirty employers.
SkyCity Negotiations Restart
Mon 25 Aug 08
SkyCity and the unions will meet this week in an attempt to reach a fairer deal than currently offered.
Advocates from both sides met on Thursday and have committed to work positively.
SkyCity has agreed to paid meetings for union members this Friday.
The main issues remain wage rates, pay steps for longer service staff, weekend rates, salaried staff and SkyCity promising non-union staff they will get the same deal union members pay and fight for.
There are many other issues as well but they are less critical and we believe can be worked through.
We hope we have good news by Friday. If not, members will decide the next steps to ensure a fair deal is won.
If you have any advice or want input, the SEA-Unite advocate will be at the union desk in 24/7 each day at 8am and 8pm.
SkyCity Backs Down Over Discrimination
Mon 25 Aug 08
Union dealers walked out after vindictive discrimination by casino middle managers.
We understand that up to 35 SkyCity workers got interviews for promotion to dual rate dealers. Shockingly, even though the department is 60% union, only one union member was amongst this shortlist (the sole union member had won a top dealer prize, so couldn’t be refused).
But union members who have served SkyCity loyally and well for many years with performance reviews of 4/5 and 5/5 were turned down for non-union dealers with 3/5 rankings and poorer performance.
Leaks from within management were that it was deliberate punishment against union members. Several managers were very upset by this vindictiveness.
SkyCity Security Meltdown
Mon 25 Aug 08
On Saturday night the entire security shift walked off the job and met with Unite union advocate Matt McCarten in 24/7 after they believed they had been unfairly discriminated against.
Matt and security union delegates met with their managers on Sunday.
We satisfactorily clarified some of the matters and have been promised that the other concerns raised will be addressed urgently.
We will advise Security members of the details as soon as possible.
Union Negotiation Briefings 8am & 8pm daily in 24/7
Mon 25 Aug 08
The SEA-Unite union advocate, Matt McCarten, will be available in 24/7 at 8am and 8pm each day to update union members on the latest progress of bargaining negotiations to be held this week.
Union members are welcome to attend the briefings and give input as well as raise other matters. The briefings will usually take about 20 minutes. Matt will stay for an hour each time to answer questions and deal with any other matters any
member has.
The company won’t pay for anyone to attend. Therefore, any members wanting to attend should try to arrange their break for either of the meeting times. Alternatively, they can legally take a short strike for the period they attend.
My Rights! What Can I do?
Mon 11 Aug 08
GO FOR GOLD: ENJOY IT 'CAUSE YOU CAN
Can I be disciplined for taking strike action?
No. You are completely protected by the law when you take action. During negotiations breaking the contract by taking collective action is legal.
Can I be ordered to do the work of a striking worker if it is not my normal work?
No you can't. If they want you to do the work of a striking worker they must ask you and inform you that you have the right to refuse. This would be the case if they asked a supervisor to become a dealer or go on security. This applies to IEA staff as well.
Do I have to give the company notice I am going on strike?
Our right to strike
Mon 11 Aug 08
- SEA-Unite and SFWU members have a legal right to take industrial action at any time. We do not have to give the company any notice before taking action.
- We can take action either as a whole union with every member involved or we can decide to take action in smaller groups by department or shifts.
- Action can be for 30 minutes or a whole shift. A late start or an early out can be a form of industrial action.
- Action we take should be designed to cause maximum discomfort to SkyCity and its operations with the least effect on members.
