NATIONAL: Pacific Brands has strongly denied allegations it had treated its New Zealand workers as "second class citizens".
Union officials this week alleged the company - which recently announced it would wind down manufacturing operations across Australia and New Zealand - had offered unfair agreements to staff at its Christchurch and Palmerston North sites.
National Distribution Union president Robert Reid said huge public backlash against factory closures in Australia had forced the company to go "over and above" its employment agreements there. This included funding towards re-training programs and redundancy packages up to three times the amount offered to its New Zealand workers.
Reid also alleged the company had refused to meet formally with the union until mid-May.
Pacific Brands spokesman Matthew Mahon flatly denied Reid's claim and said it had engaged in ongoing discussions with both union officials and employees. He said the company remained committed to the terms and conditions set out in collective agreements for each factory site.
"We have met with [workers] regularly and maintained an 'open door' on questions as they have arisen. Similarly, we have continued to follow due process and have kept the union fully informed throughout these changes in our business."
Mahon said a process was underway to sell the company's Palmerston North operations and its contract sock business in Christchurch. This would help to maintain jobs for employees working across the two sites.
"It is in everyone's best interests that this is given the best possible chance of succeeding and the constant public comments and conduct from the [union] do not help this process."