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Investigation into bullying at Christchurch's port company after worker's death

Tuesday, 21 July 2020

Katrina Hey died on December 25, 2019. Her daughter says she was outgoing, very determined and “the sweetest person”.
Katrina Hey died on December 25, 2019. Her daughter says she was outgoing, very determined and “the sweetest person”.

A Christchurch woman who believes her mum took her own life on Christmas Day after being bullied at work has vowed to get justice.

Katrina Hey, 50, died on December 25, 2019, and the daughter blames Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) in Christchurch, where her mum worked as a container controller.

Two separate inquiries are now under way – an investigation into Katrina Hey’s experiences while workin at the port and an independent review by Auckland-based barrister Maria Dew QC of workplace culture after allegations of bullying, discrimination, harassment, and nepotism emerged.

LPC chief executive Roger Gray, who took up the role in February, said any proven claims of bullying would be “completely unacceptable”.

**READ MORE:

* Review into alleged culture of bullying and discrimination at Lyttelton Port

* Lyttelton industrial dispute comes to an end with settlement

* Lyttelton Port workers call for council to help resolve employment dispute**

The last time family saw Hey was on Christmas morning when she came over to open presents.

Lyttelton Port Company has launched an independent review into its workplace culture following allegations of bullying.
Lyttelton Port Company has launched an independent review into its workplace culture following allegations of bullying.

'She had the most beautiful green eyes, they used to be filled with such love. But things just got too much and it was like looking into black eyes and … a soul that was not here any more.”

Hey was never suicidal, her daughter said. She had always been a strong single parent.

“Before it all began she was so outgoing, very determined, the sweetest person. If she only had $10, she would give you that and the shirt off her back.

'She wasn't a person who would just roll over and let someone treat her like dirt. [LPC] have worn her down over so long that she couldn't take it any more.”

Rail and Maritime Transport Union South Island organiser John Kerr says the relationship with the port company is improving under new management.
Rail and Maritime Transport Union South Island organiser John Kerr says the relationship with the port company is improving under new management.

The daughter, and her fiancé said they would not give up until the bullies were held to account. They have launched a Facebook page – Justice for Katrina Hey – and were petitioning parliament for workplace bullying and harassment to be classed as serious criminal offences.

'Regardless of whether I get justice for her, it's too late, but we're still going to do it.”

The investigation has been going for several weeks, led by independent barrister Amy Keir.

Roger Gray, chief executive of Lyttelton Port Company, says there is zero-tolerance to bullying and harassment at LPC.
Roger Gray, chief executive of Lyttelton Port Company, says there is zero-tolerance to bullying and harassment at LPC.

A separate review into workplace culture is also underway.

Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) South Island organiser John Kerr said from late-2017 into 2018, there was a period of “acrimonious” dispute between union members and the port over the collective agreement.

An agreement was reached in May 2018, but Kerr said the relationship did not improve after that and by November 2018, the union felt “under siege”.

An RMTU newsletter from November 2018 said that of the about 100 members it had working at the container terminal, two had been dismissed, and another 30 were under investigation.

“It is our honest held belief that LPC management is engaged in a campaign of persecution and intimidation of our members,” the letter said.

“No union can allow such a dangerous and unsafe work environment to prevail.”

Kerr said from the union’s perspective, the bullying was being done by management.

However, since then, much of the port's management has changed, including the new chief executive.

The new management “has got good intentions”, he believed.

Union representatives had already met with Dew and would be contributing to the review.

The port company’s investigation is being led by barrister Amy Keir and covers the period from 2013.

Gray previously said it had become clear to him that “there are cultural issues at LPC and we need a culture transformation”.

“Serious allegations relating to a culture of bullying and harassment at LPC have also been published … I consider these claims, if true, to be completely unacceptable.”

Dew’s report is to be finished by the end of September if possible.

According to her website, Dew specialises in employment law and has run investigations into serious misconduct allegations for the likes of the State Services Commission, the Labour Party, the Ministry of Justice and the Waikato and Auckland district health boards.

Past or current employees wanting to provide information for the review can confidentially email lpc@mariadew.co.nz between July 24 and August 7 to arrange an interview.

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