Tiwai workers win fair lieu day pay

Workers at New Zealand Aluminium Smelters are celebrating today as a court has confirmed their employer should pay them fairly for work done on public holidays.

Despite working twelve-hour shifts, their lieu days were only paid out for eight hours. The issue had been raised with the company on multiple occasions, but nothing had been done until the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union took the issue to court.

“Our members are delighted with the result,” says Trevor Hobbs, the EPMU organiser for Tiwai workers. “All they want is basic fairness – to be paid a twelve-hour lieu day for a twelve-hour shift.

“This decision shows that workers can get a fair deal when they stand together in a union.

The Employment Relations Authority found in favour of the workers in May 2013, but its decision was appealed by NZAS.

ENDS

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