SkyCity's Chinese staff angry at festival time-off ban

Staff at SkyCity are preparing to strike today over claims workers are banned from taking holidays over the Chinese New Year celebrations. Photo / Dean Purcell

Staff at SkyCity are preparing to strike today over claims workers are banned from taking holidays over the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Hundreds of Chinese employees will protest outside the casino within one hour of the entertainment establishment officially starting its Lunar New Year festivities at 7pm.

The Unite Union says Chinese casino workers have been prevented from using their legal rights to take time off over 17 days from today - a time when SkyCity will host wealthy Chinese high rollers heading into town.

SkyCity says the claims are "absolutely incorrect".

Unite national director Mike Treen says the policy is discriminatory as Chinese New Year is hugely important and a time for Chinese families to spend time together.

"We will be striking and picketing to express our anger and disgust at the way the company treats its staff," Mr Treen said. "Chinese New Year is not a public holiday and denying Chinese staff access to any time off over a period of several weeks to be with their families is discriminatory in our view."

Mr Treen called on punters to avoid the casino for 15 days.

Grainne Troute, SkyCity's human resources general manager, says Chinese New Year was an extremely busy period for the casino and one "in which more staff apply for leave than we can approve".

"SkyCity ... faces similar challenges throughout the year on occasions such as Christmas, New Year's Eve and Easter when we continue to trade," Ms Troute said. "This is the nature of the hospitality industry. However, in managing these situations all staff are treated equally and are covered by the same procedures."

She said the company tried hard to accommodate all holiday requests and understood those who were not able to take a break were disappointed.

The casino will let off firecrackers tonight to follow a Chinese belief that the noise will ward off bad luck. Staff say it is more important for the company to recognise the Chinese belief that not spending time with loved ones can also spell "bad luck".

YEAR OF THE RABBIT

When: Starts tomorrow

CELEBRATIONS

* SkyCity: Firecrackers (will be set off tonight and tomorrow at 7pm), Chinese acrobats will perform and there will be a lion dance every night until February 17.

* Chinese and Korean New Year festival will be held at Northcote Town Centre on February 4 and 5.

* Lantern Festival will be held at Albert Park from February 18 to 20.

* Chinese New Year Extravaganza at the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna will be held on February 19.