Appointments bring business expertise and ‘fresh ideas’, says Minister.
Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden.
Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden has signalled she is keen to see some “fresh ideas” from two new appointments to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA).
Van Velden announced today that Helen van Druten and Matthew Piper would be joining the authority.
The ERA is an independent body that helps both employees and employers to resolve employment relationship problems and facilitates collective bargaining when difficulties arise.
Van Velden noted that current members of the ERA had more experience in the public sector than the private sector, and welcomed the “new ideas, skills and experience” the new appointments would bring.
Both new members were skilled in the process of investigations and hearings, and were experienced in the ERA and courts system, she said.
“I am keen to see them bring fresh ideas and approaches to ERA so that we see fast, fair and flexible resolution of disputes between employers and employees. This will reduce the burden on the court system and the associated delays and costs experienced by all parties in trying to resolve employment problems."
Helen van Druten previously managed employment relations for Restaurant Brands.
Van Druten joins the ERA from Restaurant Brands NZ, where she managed its employment relations nationwide.
“She brings a depth of experience as well as a small business perspective,” said van Velden. “She has also managed employment relations with a diverse range of workers in these businesses including youth and migrant workers.”
Piper most recently worked as general manager of employment relations for the Warehouse Group. He has previously worked for commercial law firms, such as Simpson Grierson and Buddle Findlay, and was seconded to some of New Zealand’s largest companies.
Van Druten will begin her four-year term on February 3, while Piper will begin his term on April 7.
Van Velden also announced the reappointment of authority member Rachel Larmer for a further term.
Before becoming a member in 2010, Larmer spent several years as a specialist employment lawyer in Auckland law firm Kiely Thompson Caisley.
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