20th April 2011 Update: Improved redundancy offer from Heritage in Christchurch

On Tuesday 12th April Heritage Hotel workers were informed that the hotel situated in Cathedral Square was unlikely to be open for several months.

Due to alleged financial pressures a proposal was made by company management that spelled out redundancy for all but a few of the local management team. Workers, some of whom have been employed by Heritage for more than 15 years were told they could expect only two weeks redundancy pay and were welcome to “apply” for work at the other dozen hotels and sites that Heritage operates in New Zealand. The workers have been given until only this Friday 15th April to submit their response to this “offer”.

Unite Union represents the House Keepers of the hotel and is furious with the proposal.

"Heritage have come well below par with their miserable offer to staff. The numerous other hotels closed since February's quake have bent over double to offer sufficient information and packages for their staff, angry doesn't even come close to how we feel" stated Unite Organiser Matt Jones.

Unite accuses Heritage of failing to provide their members with accurate information from the beginning. "Staff were told they would be looked after until the hotel was operational, there were many that didn't even receive an invite to the Tuesday meeting. There was no hint of remorse offered by the company and the team were left to feel that it was ‘like it or lump it’ stated Mr Jones.

When union delegates asked if they would be guaranteed work at alternative hotels the company response was less than comforting – being told only that they could apply for jobs but no guarantees would be given of priority. “The workers have been left in the dark and if Heritage gets its way will be pushed out onto the ever growing unemployment heap in Christchurch with little to show for their efforts” said Mr Jones.

The Auckland Branch of Unite plan to picket the Heritage Hotel Auckland to ensure the company know exactly what Unite Union thinks of their despicable actions said Mr Jones. “The hotel industry as a whole is set to make millions of dollars out of the Rugby World Cup and at the end of the day it is us, the rate payers that have foot the bill. Why is it these huge companies think they can treat kiwi workers anyway they like?”

Listen to Unite Heritage delegate interviewed on Morning Report.