At Work golden handshakes

Thursday 10th Feb 2000
Ken Shirley Media Release -- Other

ACT Deputy Leader Ken Shirley is writing to both the Minister of SOE's and the Minister of Accident Insurance requesting the details of golden handshakes for redundant At Work executives and staff resulting from the Labour Government's determination to disestablish this organisation returning workplace accident insurance to state monopoly.

"In reply to my questioning at the Select Committee this week the Chairman of At Work Michael Cashin, revealed that it would cost between $4-$5 million to disestablish At Work. He further claimed that staff redundancies would be a small part of the total cost" said Ken Shirley.

"In contrast to this statement is my belief that redundancies for the 45 staff will be a significant part of the disestablishment costs and that the two top executives alone are negotiating pay-offs topping $1 million" Ken Shirley said.

"The Labour/Alliance Government will lose all credibility if it attempts to hide this issue behind a mask of confidentiality particularly in light of their stance last year in Opposition," said Ken Shirley.

ends

Letters To Ministers - Letter One - Michael Cullen

10 February 2000

Hon. Michael Cullen Minister of Accident Insurance Parliament Buildings

Dear Minister

At the Parliamentary Select Committee hearing the Accident Insurance (Transitional Provisions) Bill, I asked the Chairman of At Work, Mr Cashin, what the total disestablishment costs of that organisation would be.

He indicated a figure of $4-$5 million and in response to a further question claimed that staff redundancies would be a small part of that total cost.

It is my understanding that redundancies for the 45 staff will be a significant part of the disestablishment costs and that two top executives alone are negotiating payoffs topping $1 million. No doubt some staff will be accommodated back into the ACC organisation but nevertheless I would expect staff redundancies to consume the majority of the disestablishment costs.

Could you please inform me of the expected total redundancy and employment contract costs and in particular the details of any settlement package negotiated with the CEO and other top executives. Please advise what other disestablishment costs, apart from these, are expected to be incurred.

If any of these matters are still under negotiation, I would appreciate being informed of those details once they are settled.

Yours sincerely

Ken Shirley
Accident Insurance Spokesman
ACT New Zealand

Letters To Ministers - Letter Two- Mark Burton

10 February 2000

Hon. Mark Burton Minister of SOE's Parliament Buildings

Dear Minister

At the Parliamentary Select Committee hearing the Accident Insurance (Transitional Provisions) Bill, I asked the Chairman of At Work, Mr Cashin, what the total disestablishment costs of that organisation would be.

He indicated a figure of $4-$5 million and in response to a further question claimed that staff redundancies would be a small part of that total cost.

It is my understanding that redundancies for the 45 staff will be a significant part of the disestablishment costs and that two top executives alone are negotiating payoffs topping $1 million. No doubt some staff will be accommodated back into the ACC organisation but nevertheless I would expect staff redundancies to consume the majority of the disestablishment costs.

Could you please inform me of the expected total redundancy and employment contract costs and in particular the details of any settlement package negotiated with the CEO and other top executives. Please advise what other disestablishment costs, apart from these, are expected to be incurred.

If any of these matters are still under negotiation, I would appreciate being informed of those details once they are settled.

Yours sincerely

Ken Shirley
Accident Insurance Spokesman
ACT New Zealand

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