Staff target umpire over failed firm

Disenchanted employees of Richmond Meats in Hastings, which ceased trading in March, are talking of driving to Auckland to picket the home of their former boss, former America's Cup Team New Zealand rules adviser and umpire, Russell Green.
Service and Food Workers union representative Thomas O'Neill said it appeared Mr Green had not lived up to his responsibilities to his 20 employees. "He shut the doors and told everyone to come back after a two-week holiday and that was the end of it," he said.
"The employees are by far the largest creditor and are owed hundreds of thousands of dollars."
Mr Green said he was also frustrated and only became involved in the company to protect his ownership of the building.
"In brief, the problems stemmed from the purchasers of the Richmond Meats Ltd business never settling," he said. "They offered jobs to nearly all the Hastings staff but then were not able to settle the purchase on due date, first extended from April 11 to April 18 then finally advising in late May they had decided not to complete.
"Since the failure of the business in March the focus was to try and save jobs but this has proved unsuccessful."
The companies office listed him as majority shareholder. Mr Green said a voluntary liquidation required a shareholder resolution. "I am only a 10 per cent beneficial shareholder and nominee Director.
"I hold a further 45 per cent in trust for parties not associated with me, and the balance of 45 per cent is held by another Auckland accountant for parties not associated with me, so it is not my call."
He said staff knew he should not be the target of their frustrations.
"The whole saga has cost me a lot. I lent funds to support the business in October and again in January. I will be the biggest creditor on a liquidation behind the staff's preferred entitlements."
A trip to Auckland to picket Mr Green's residence on Saturday was cancelled because former staff could not get time off from their new jobs.
The Dynamic Meat Company was expecting to move their Williams St operation to the Marekakaho Rd site. It hoped to employ up to five Richmond Meats workers.