Company uses little-known labour exemption to prevent union from talking to staff
A New Zealand lab is taking advantage of a little-known labour law that allows it to bar unions from its workplace on religious grounds.
Auckland’s Fort Richardson Laboratories was able to bar the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union from talking to its staff. According to published reports in New Zealand, the law applies when an individual employer is a member of a religious society and employs fewer than 20 workers.
Maurice Clist, company director for Fort Richardson Laboratories, said he was doing nothing wrong or illegal.
“I am a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and I seek to be governed by the holy scriptures and regulate my life according to that,” said Clist. “I am answerable to God. The principle is the issue and I really have to follow my conscious.”
Clist is a member of the Exclusive Brethren, a group whose beliefs preclude membership in any other organization. He said he didn’t think his staff would remain with the company if they were unhappy with the union not being let in.
But union leaders are beside themselves and are considering court action. Andrew Little, secretary for the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing union, said he does not think the company is eligible for the exemption.
“This employer’s wish to impose his religious practices on the workplace is costing the workers their rights,” said Little.
This is the second time Fort Richardson Laboratories has been in the spotlight. The company recently banned the use of any language except English in the workplace.
Auckland’s Fort Richardson Laboratories was able to bar the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union from talking to its staff. According to published reports in New Zealand, the law applies when an individual employer is a member of a religious society and employs fewer than 20 workers.
Maurice Clist, company director for Fort Richardson Laboratories, said he was doing nothing wrong or illegal.
“I am a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and I seek to be governed by the holy scriptures and regulate my life according to that,” said Clist. “I am answerable to God. The principle is the issue and I really have to follow my conscious.”
Clist is a member of the Exclusive Brethren, a group whose beliefs preclude membership in any other organization. He said he didn’t think his staff would remain with the company if they were unhappy with the union not being let in.
But union leaders are beside themselves and are considering court action. Andrew Little, secretary for the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing union, said he does not think the company is eligible for the exemption.
“This employer’s wish to impose his religious practices on the workplace is costing the workers their rights,” said Little.
This is the second time Fort Richardson Laboratories has been in the spotlight. The company recently banned the use of any language except English in the workplace.
