"Bitter Sweet" Payout for Wairarapa LWR Workers

“Bitter Sweet” Payout for Wairarapa LWR Workers

Media Statement: National Distribution Union
13 September 2009

This week’s 18 cent in the dollar payment to redundant Wairarapa Lane Walker Rudkin workers is described as “bitter sweet” by Robert Reid, General Secretary of the NDU, the union representing the redundant workers.

“The sweetness for workers receiving up to a further $3,000 has been overshadowed by the bitterness of the news that they are unlikely to receive any more than a total of 70 cents in the dollar owed to them for holiday pay and redundancy pay as capped by the receivership laws,” Robert Reid says.

“The Wairarapa workers, who were employed by the LWR subsidiary of Bouzaid and Ballaben feel completely discriminated against. Their Christchurch based LWR colleagues have received full payment of their capped redundancy and holiday pay, no matter which of the LWR subsidiaries they worked for. Bouzaid and Ballaben workers and their union see no reason why Wairarapa workers should receive any less.

“By the receivers own statements to the Company’s Office it seems there was poor governance of the LWR group and that all the subsidiaries had been run as one entity. Given this there is no reason why workers in one LWR subsidiary should be shortchanged and treated differently.

“Redundant Bouzaid and Ballaben workers hope the Wairarapa community, including its Mayors and MPs will support the workers in their call to be treated the same as other redundant LWR workers.

“If Westpac lost over $100 million through the lack of oversight of its investment in LWR over the years, then what is another few thousand dollars to ensure that Wairarapa workers receive their full holiday pay and redundancy entitlements,” Robert Reid says.

ENDS

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