Workers receive conflicting advice on Cyclone Pam

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release: 15 March 2015

Workers receive conflicting advice on Cyclone Pam

Cyclone Pam is forecast to hit the east coast of the North Island overnight and conflicting advice from local government means workers are unsure whether they should attend work tomorrow says FIRST Union General Secretary Robert Reid.

“Our union is receiving calls from members who are confused with the conflicting advice on whether they should attend work tomorrow. In one statement Auckland Civil Defence says ‘if possible Aucklanders should reconsider their travel plans and work from home to avoid expected travel disruption’ yet in another statement Aucklanders are advised to ‘stay at home and off the roads unless absolutely necessary’” says Mr Reid.

“The Whakatane District Council website tells workers to “avoid driving unless absolutely necessary” but the Gisborne District Council “urges people to stay at home”.

“Cyclone Pam is a serious weather event and it has already left a trail of destruction and death in Vanuatu and other Pacific islands. Workers and employers need accurate and authoritative advice from local councils and civil defence agencies. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment also needs to give clear advice that workers should be paid for the time they are off work following local civil defence advice. However there is no mention of Cyclon0 Pame and its impact on workers and businesses on the MBIE website” says Mr Reid.

“It’s time that the Ministers of Civil Defence and Workplace Relations got their heads together and ensured that accurate advice is given to workers and businesses during this serious weather event”.

FIRST Union represents workers in the Finance, Industrial, Retail, Stores and Transport sectors including over 12,000 in areas forecast to be affected by the Cyclone in Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawkes Bay.

ENDS

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