After a bitter dispute over the past three months involving both strikes and lockouts the unions have reached an agreement with SkyCity for a new and improved Collective Agreement.

The agreement includes a number of advances over the initial offer from the company.

These include:

- An increase in redundancy compensation from 12 to 18 weeks
- Including significant roster changes as grounds for redundancy
- A $150 annual unpleasant duties allowance for cleaning staff
- Freezing of car park and staff cafeteria prices for the duration of the agreement
- A $150 incentive payment for union members only for ratifying the contract
- An increase in the annual footwear allowance from $60 to $75 for kitchen staff
- An ongoing joint union & company consultation committee involving senior company management
- Restricting the term of the agreement to two years rather the three wanted by the company.
- The application of the 5 year and 10 year service payment to salaried staff.
- A commitment to resolve issues regarding security for part time staff and improvements for salaried staff through joint consultation committees starting as soon as possible.

Unite union advocate at SkyCity Mike Treen said that “While we were disappointed that we weren’t able to get the company to move from their 3% a year offer on rates we felt there was enough of a gain in other areas to justify accepting the final offer.

“The company has been preparing for this fight for two years. They dismantled any joint union management committees to resolve problems and forced the unions to mediation or court over the smallest matters. Union noticeboards were moved to less accessible areas and union offices closed. Only part time staff were being hired for front line roles and departments restructured to have a majority of part time staff. The company knew these workers would be more vulnerable to pressure not to join the union and take part in any action. Part time workers who did take action had their shifts cut to the minimum 8 hours a week. Non-union staff were given a pay rise from January 1st and any who joined the union after that date had their pay cut and were asked to repay the increase received. Union members were told there would be no back pay of any settlement. During the negotiations the company held fast to their take it or leave it approach backed up by an escalating use of lockouts of staff taking action for up to a week.

“The vote to accept the offer was only passed by a 55% majority. The strong negative vote reflected the deep distrust that exists among many workers regarding the company promises that have yet to be translated into action. This is a wakeup call to the company that its treatment of workers over the last few years is deeply resented and behavior needs to change to avoid renewed conflict in two years time,” concluded Mike Treen