College of Arts Legal Proceedings

From an email to members from Marty Braithwaite of AUS National Office:

Yesterday the AUS filed legal proceedings relating to the failure of the University to consult with affected employees and their representatives over the decision to cut staff numbers in the College of Arts.

The AUS is seeking:

• An injunction restraining the Vice-Chancellor from proceeding with the proposal without complying with his obligation to consult under the terms of the collective employment agreement and the Employment Relations and State Sector Acts;


• an order requiring the Vice-Chancellor to comply with those obligations;


• damages;


• penalties for breach of contract;


• costs.

This action is consistent with a view outlined and endorsed at a meeting of AUS members yesterday.

At this stage we are scheduled for mediation for Wednesday morning, and expect there will be an urgent hearing of the substantive matters in the Employment Authority shortly thereafter.
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The AUS is being represented in legal proceedings by Peter Cranney of Oakley Moran, while the University is being represented by Susan Hornsby of the Wellington law firm, Kensington Swan.

The legal proceedings filed by AUS can be viewed here on the AUS website.