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Unite Union workers protest outside Westin Hotel, Auckland. - Source: ONE News -
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Workers are picketing the luxury Westin Auckland Lighter Quay hotel, vowing to fight for their jobs after about 100 redundancies were announced yesterday.
One worker, Rosie Katonivulaiku told ONE News she was cleaning a room in the hotel when she was handed a notice and wasn't given a reason for the termination. Previously, when the company went into receivership she says workers were given new contracts and told they worked for the new company, but that all changed yesterday.
"We came today as normal to work, but things were not normal inside the hotel. I don't know what I'm going to do, it's taken me by surprise."
Katonivulaiku, visibly upset about losing her job, said they were told if things were resolved they might be called back "but there's no guarantee, we don't know what they are going to do."
Workers were told in the letter they will be paid their holiday pay, but she wasn't sure when.
But there seems to be some confusion over whether anyone will get any holiday pay at all after signing the new contract.
Candy Fang has been employed by the hotel since its opening in 2007, as a receptionist.
She said although the letter says workers will get holiday pay, management has told her they won't.
"They say the new contract we signed said no redundancy pay," she said.
Fang says the timing couldn't be worse for losing her job.
"I just bought a house and Monday was the settlement day and I got my key. On Wednesday, they told me I've lost my job, and no redundancy pay, no holiday pay, just one week's wages. It happened so suddenly. That's one more week's money to cover my mortgage and my living costs. They have just screwed up my whole life."
Fang said she would tell the receivers, that the workers need their annual leave pay and holiday pay. "We're not asking for more, just that. I worked for the whole year and didn't have a day's annual leave. Even four weeks' redundancy pay.
"It's impossible to find a job by next Tuesday."
The Unite Union says the workers are being asked to pay the price for a dispute between two wealthy and powerful groups - the receivers KordaMentha and the room owners, mostly overseas investors.
"Many of these overseas investors have never even visited this hotel, yet it's Auckland's workers who must pay the price for their greed," said Unite Union's campaigns officer Joe Carolan.
Carolan said, "It is morally repugnant that these hard working people are now thrown on the scrapheap without any assistance, while South Canterbury Finance is bailed out by a billion dollars of taxpayers' money".
Unite Union's Hotel Organiser, Desmond Leota, said, "Workers are prepared to stand and fight, and occupy this hotel if necessary. We will see them get justice".
