14 December, 2016

Staff at Gateway Housing Trust urge rethink on job losses

Workers at Nelson-based Gateway Housing Trust will present an open letter to the Trust’s board tomorrow urging a rethink of its plans to cut staff and restructure services.

The Trust provides in-house and out-reach services for people with mental illness across the upper South Island.

E tū organiser for Nelson and Marlborough, Andrew Irvine says seven people have been told their jobs are gone, raising fears this will mean poorer services for vulnerable clients.

He says while core staff have been axed, the restructure includes three new managerial roles, with job requirements which effectively exclude the redundant staff.

“Those seven jobs represent more than 10 percent of the workforce, all of them skilled, hands-on and necessary,” says Andrew.

“They put their heart and soul into their jobs, with a professionalism, expertise and compassion clients depend on. This is at least 70 years-worth of experience in mental health care and social services which will be lost to these people.”

Mr Irvine says the union sought information about a “rumoured” restructure months ago, but was ignored by Gateway CEO, Tracey Tuhi, the Trust’s Operations Manager, Jaap Noteboom, and the Trust’s contracted HR advisor, Chapman ER.

Andrew says despite this, “we remain committed to sitting down with Gateway and working through issues in a respectful way with the dignity our members deserve - something that has been sadly lacking throughout this debacle”

ENDS

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