Unions need to communicate improved company offer

Oceania Group is disappointed that workers have chosen to use a 2-hour staff meeting called to discuss the company’s latest wage offer to instead rally outside the company’s offices in front of the news media.

The stop-work meeting was called by the unions so they could have sufficient time to discuss Oceania’s improved pay increase offer in collective contract negotiations.

Oceania agreed that staff could hold a paid meeting for two hours from 1.30pm to 3.30pm today to discuss the company’s pay offer and get feedback on what their members would like to do next.

“It is important to the company that staff are provided with the information they need to make a decision on whether to accept the offer that has been put to them. We own 59 facilities throughout New Zealand that provide a high standard of care to elderly residents. We want business to get back to normal and our improved offer reflects our desire to do that.”

Mr Eady said staff needed to assess the full merits of the company’s offer, which has been made in good faith in an attempt to resolve a difficult situation.  “We were told the stop-work meeting was for staff to discuss the new offer from the company. Instead, unions have used this time to rally outside our offices,” he said.