At Work golden handshakes
Thursday 10th Feb 2000
Ken Shirley Media Release -- Other
ACT Deputy Leader Ken Shirley is writing to both the Minister of SOE's and the Minister of Accident Insurance requesting
the details of golden handshakes for redundant At Work executives and staff resulting from the Labour Government's
determination to disestablish this organisation returning workplace accident insurance to state monopoly.
"In reply to my questioning at the Select Committee this week the Chairman of At Work Michael Cashin, revealed that it
would cost between $4-$5 million to disestablish At Work. He further claimed that staff redundancies would be a small
part of the total cost" said Ken Shirley.
"In contrast to this statement is my belief that redundancies for the 45 staff will be a significant part of the
disestablishment costs and that the two top executives alone are negotiating pay-offs topping $1 million" Ken Shirley
said.
"The Labour/Alliance Government will lose all credibility if it attempts to hide this issue behind a mask of
confidentiality particularly in light of their stance last year in Opposition," said Ken Shirley.
ends
Letters To Ministers - Letter One - Michael Cullen
10 February 2000
Hon. Michael Cullen Minister of Accident Insurance Parliament Buildings
Dear Minister
At the Parliamentary Select Committee hearing the Accident Insurance (Transitional Provisions) Bill, I asked the
Chairman of At Work, Mr Cashin, what the total disestablishment costs of that organisation would be.
He indicated a figure of $4-$5 million and in response to a further question claimed that staff redundancies would be a
small part of that total cost.
It is my understanding that redundancies for the 45 staff will be a significant part of the disestablishment costs and
that two top executives alone are negotiating payoffs topping $1 million. No doubt some staff will be accommodated back
into the ACC organisation but nevertheless I would expect staff redundancies to consume the majority of the
disestablishment costs.
Could you please inform me of the expected total redundancy and employment contract costs and in particular the details
of any settlement package negotiated with the CEO and other top executives. Please advise what other disestablishment
costs, apart from these, are expected to be incurred.
If any of these matters are still under negotiation, I would appreciate being informed of those details once they are
settled.
Yours sincerely
Ken Shirley
Accident Insurance Spokesman
ACT New Zealand
Letters To Ministers - Letter Two- Mark Burton
10 February 2000
Hon. Mark Burton Minister of SOE's Parliament Buildings
Dear Minister
At the Parliamentary Select Committee hearing the Accident Insurance (Transitional Provisions) Bill, I asked the
Chairman of At Work, Mr Cashin, what the total disestablishment costs of that organisation would be.
He indicated a figure of $4-$5 million and in response to a further question claimed that staff redundancies would be a
small part of that total cost.
It is my understanding that redundancies for the 45 staff will be a significant part of the disestablishment costs and
that two top executives alone are negotiating payoffs topping $1 million. No doubt some staff will be accommodated back
into the ACC organisation but nevertheless I would expect staff redundancies to consume the majority of the
disestablishment costs.
Could you please inform me of the expected total redundancy and employment contract costs and in particular the details
of any settlement package negotiated with the CEO and other top executives. Please advise what other disestablishment
costs, apart from these, are expected to be incurred.
If any of these matters are still under negotiation, I would appreciate being informed of those details once they are
settled.
Yours sincerely
Ken Shirley
Accident Insurance Spokesman
ACT New Zealand