Corrections must consult over shift changes - ERA

The Corrections Department has been ordered to go back and negotiate with the prison officers' union over changes to working hours for prison officers in the country's high security prisons, in an Employment Relations Authority decision released today.

Last year the department moved to introduce a new shift from 8am to 5pm to better align the officers' hours with when the prisoners were released from their cells.

However, the Corrections Association of New Zealand claimed a change in hours went against the purpose of the collective employment agreement and the department had failed to consult with the union over what was a significant change for staff.

The department said the decision to implement the new shift was an operational change it was free to make.

However, the Employment Relations Authority's Marija Urlich determined that Corrections was implementing significant changes and should have consulted with the union.

It had not followed correct procedure when it started talking with the officers about how the roster changes would start.

She ordered Corrections to consult with the union on the implementation of the new shift.

- NZPA