The Meat Workers Union (MWU) has welcomed the judgement of the Court of Appeal today declining an appeal from Meat
Industry employers against an Employment Court decision that ruled that "donning & doffing" is “work”, under s 6 of the Minimum Wage Act.
This decision will mean workers will now be paid for the time they spend preparing to go to and from rest and meal
breaks including taking off and cleaning their safety equipment and going through complex hygiene processes - known in
the industry as "donning and doffing".
The original case was between Ovation Gisborne, Fielding, Te Kuiti Meats and the Meat Workers Union where the issue of
donning and doffing, and whether piece work payments incorporated money for paid breaks were considered. The Employment
Court ruled in favour of the MWU on both issues.
Donning and doffing continues to be a concern for meat workers in the industry" says Graham Cooke, National Secretary of
the NZ Meat Workers Union (MWU).
“More and more, workers have been paying with their own time at start & finish times and paid and unpaid breaks have been encroached upon by company requirements around hygiene, export
standards and food safety.
"This decision applies across all meat processing companies. Of course there will be some variations, but we now expect
all companies to comply with this decision, and to work with the union on compensation for workers who have not been
paid their correct entitlements” says Mr Cooke.
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