Westland Collective Agreement Settled

Murray Kerse reports that...

Organiser Murray Kerse

The Westland Milk Products Agreement was finally settled after a period of time where it was looking like industrial action was to take place. It was settled on the eve of the Company being issued with a notice of industrial action.
The background to this was when we first negotiated with the Company, agreement was reached between the two parties to take it back to the membership for ratification. The original offer included 4% on all rates and a $250 bonus at Christmas time. After five years continuous employment with the Company, permanent workers will have the upgrade option 1 in Unimed paid for by the company, and also it will be amended to cover stress and depression. There was to be a duty fitter allowance, alternative trade work, change over allowance as well..
However despite being recommended by the Delegates committee, and the Organiser at a series of ratification meetings, the members rejected the offer by 60% against, and 40% for.
This is an unusual occurrence, but it happens from time to time. We then informed the Company of what had happened.
It would be fair to say they did not take it too well, because at a meeting the following week, the Company's advocate saw fit to address some rather pointed criticism at the Delegates and Myself, and went on to point out that the offer was on the table, and that was that. The company had difficulty accepting that we had to abide by a democratic vote, and also the ratification process in the Employment Relations Act.
We then considered our response, and I asked the delegates to once again canvas the members on what we could negotiate on. 5% seemed to be the bottom line for most people, with some of the other offers such as change over not so important as it did not affect everyone. The $250 dollar bonus was not popular.
At a Delegates meeting a week later attended by James Ritchie and myself we decided to inform the company of the fact that a 5% offer would resolve the issue. They were still not moving so we then set up two 'all up' meetings with the members a week later to explain the position. We invited the Company to address the members as well.
These meetings which were held at the West's Rugby Club Rooms, had a turn out of 140 members, which represented about 95% of the membership. The Company put their case mainly centering around the fact that they had a deal with the delegates and that should be that, totally ignoring the democratic process, and the law. Naturally the members did not agree, and after being addressed by James, and myself voted by overwhelming majority to issue the company with notice of Industrial Action.
The day before we were to deliver the notice James was contacted by the Company agreeing to the 5%,and the medical insurance clauses, the bargaining agent fee, but not the duty fitter allowance, change over, $250 bonus etc. They were also only offering it from time of ratification but to run less than 12 months to the normal expiry date..
The delegates decided to put the offer to the members, and it was ratified by a substantial margin.
In conclusion I would like to acknowledge the work done by the Delegate committee, who put a lot of work into this issue to resolve it. In my opinion this has strengthened our position at Westland, and I feel the members think that they had their say as witnessed by the well attended meetings. The Delegates committee are already thinking about next years talks, and are considering claims and tidy ups already.
Also I would like to acknowledge Brian Wooller's work in the introduction of the stress and depression clauses, and the upgrades for the medical insurance. These have been adopted by Tip Top as well, and are a very positive move for our members. Thanks Brian, and James for your help for me the Greenhorn.
Murray Kerse