Chamber of Commerce dispute could go to court

A dispute between the Chamber of Commerce and its former chief executive could end up in court.

A dispute between the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce and its former chief executive could be heading to court - as calls grow for the chamber to explain its recent actions to members.

Roger Gordon's employment was terminated last month after 10 years as chamber CEO. Mr Gordon claimed he found out through the media he had lost his job - after the chamber issued a press release announcing the end of the employment relationship. Mr Gordon, who was on sick leave at the time, said an employment dispute was in progress.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment has confirmed the dispute is currently before the Employment Relations Authority but it had not yet been set down for a hearing.

Meanwhile, chamber member Roger Willard has written to other members asking they sign a request for a special general meeting. As of yesterday about 140 members had signed it, he said.

Under chamber rules, a special general meeting must be called if at least a quarter of the members request it. According to its website, the chamber has a membership of 650 however it's not known how accurate that is. Mr Willard said he was aiming for at least 160 signatories.

Mr Willard said two meetings of "concerned" members had already been held, with a New Zealand Chamber of Commerce representative at one.

He said the main issues they wanted addressed by the chamber included details of its recent review and who was consulted, how Mr Gordon's dismissal was handled, whether the employment dispute would cost the chamber money and the general lack of information to members.

"Members who are concerned just want to know what's happening with the chamber and why this has happened," he said. "Some of the members are absolutely teed off big time."

He said Mr Gordon was not involved in the group and those who had signed the request included some who supported Mr Gordon and some who didn't. The purpose was simply to ensure a strong chamber for the future, he said.

"We're not on any particular witch hunt but we do want to know what's happened and why it's happened."

Both Mr Gordon and chamber president Kathy Hawker declined to comment.

However, Mrs Hawker sent an email to all chamber members last week.

"I refer to the recent local media coverage of the departure of the long-serving CEO of the chamber, Roger Gordon, which I understand has created uncertainty and some anxiety among some chamber members.

"I have been advised that some members of the chamber have had a private meeting to discuss the chamber. During this meeting such members did not have the benefit of the chamber's side of the story.

"Unfortunately, as the issues surrounding Mr Gordon's employment with the chamber are currently before the Employment Relations Authority, it is not appropriate for the chamber to comment on the matter any further at this stage," she said in the email.