The Facts on the Strike in New Zealand
15 April 2009
It's back to business. Union members have returned to work at Synovate as part of the Memorandum of Understanding* signed with Unite Union on April 14th.
We believe in constant dialogue. We have been in contract negotiations with the union since November 2008.
The Memorandum of Understanding* signed on April 14th states that:
- Synovate and union members will set up a working party to negotiate a performance pay scheme for interviewing staff
- The working party has six weeks from April 14th to reach agreement
- During that time, there will be no further strike action, nor will there be any other industrial, picket or protest action against or targeting Synovate, its clients or associated individuals.
Mediation continues with Unite and Synovate is committed to the terms set by the Bargaining Process Agreement (BPA).
No pay rise has been agreed. Reports of pay rises are inaccurate. The outcome in terms of pay rates, and any other payments, is still to be agreed.
Majority of Synovate's staff are behind management. The 27 workers belonging to Unite represent a small percentage of the 150 call centre part-time staff employed by Synovate.
We regret any actions that may have hurt the viability of New Zealand as a legitimate place to do business. On April 14th, the Auckland and Wellington offices of the Ministry of Social Development and ASB Bank were picketed by protesters representing Unite, causing disruption to their operations.
The MSD and ASB are clients of Synovate. Whilst we support legitimate staff protest, actions like these are in no one's interests, whether union or non-union.
We believe in and continue to be committed to New Zealand. We believe in the country, the viability of its economy and the talent of its workforce.
*Not a signed collective agreement