Restaurant dramas continue

Phil's Place closed last July but re-opened and brought in a new management structure on April 13. Photo / George Novak

The Tauranga restaurant of AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd is embroiled in an employment row with former staff.

Auckland-based employment law specialist Max Whitehead is representing three applicants in a hearing with Rudd's business, Phil's Place.

The Department of Labour said an Employment Relations Authority hearing would be held on November 19 and 20, probably in Tauranga. It was unclear what, if any, actions or events were alleged to have triggered the disagreement.

Mr Whitehead said three applicants had tried mediation but that had been unsuccessful.

Five other plaintiffs were understood to have been involved earlier but Mr Whitehead would not give details.

"We've got a hearing set up," he said. "I've got to be a little bit careful here."

Phil's Place and its lawyers Sharp Tudhope did not return calls or comment this week and there was no one home at Rudd's Tauranga property when the Bay of Plenty Times tried to contact the musician.

A manager at Phil's Place said yesterday she could not comment on the hearing or alleged issues with former staff.

"We have tried to turn a new page," she said.

"That had nothing to do with the team we have now and we are focusing on our customers, not anything else."

The restaurant closed last July but re-opened and brought in a new management structure on April 13. The restaurant's chef is Daniel Green.

Auckland employment advocate Danny Gelb, who had previously acted for restaurant staff, said: "Some resolved the matter with the employer and others chose not to continue the process through the Employment Relations Authority."

Rudd left AC/DC in 1983 and retired to New Zealand but rejoined the band in 1994.