Backpay for donning and doffing addressed

Southland meat workers will get backpay for the time spent dressing and undressing on either side of their breaks, but how much it will cost companies is not yet known.

New Zealand Meat Workers Union Invercargill secretary Gary Davis confirmed the union has reached a settlement agreement with Blue Sky Meats in relation to the Employment Court’s ‘‘donning and doffing’’ judgment.

The union is also in talks with Alliance Group.

In December 2018, the court ruled that putting on and removing specialised clothing and equipment at the beginning and end of each shift, and at rest and meal breaks, was defined as work.

Meat workers were previously expected to do this during their break times.

During hearings in September 2018, the court heard each worker spent between 15 and 20 minutes every day preparing for breaks.

The case was between Ovation Gisborne, Feilding, Te Kuiti Meats and the Meat Workers Union after the parties failed to reach a consensus on how to treat breaks during negotiations for new collective employment agreements.

The Meat Workers Union also asked the Employment Court to decide on whether workers should be paid for breaks and whether they had sufficient time for breaks.

On the issue of donning and doffing, judge Bruce Corkill said: ‘‘Standing back, I am satisfied that donning and doffing, whether considered with regard to each instance where it occurs, or whether considered cumulatively, is work.’’

As a result of the ruling, compensation had to be paid.

The terms of the union’s agreement with Blue Sky was confidential. The company has started the process of paying backpay to workers affected by the ruling.

Blue Sky chief executive Todd Grave said: ‘‘We are happy to have addressed this important employment issue and are now focused on the current season.’’

It is understood Alliance will follow suit later this year. An Alliance spokesperson said the group was in discussions with the union.