Westin staff now subject to one week's notice

Auckland's Westin Hotel. Photo / Supplied

Staff at five-star The Westin Auckland Lighter Quay hotel have all been re-employed on new contracts but can be fired at a week's notice.

That has led some to fear for their futures. One staff member said he got a letter in the past week which had left people unsettled.

The situation did not tally with a statement from the hotel that it would continue to operate, he said.

Katie Donald, Westin director of sales and marketing, last week issued a reassurance.

"Following the appointment of Michael Stiassny and Brendon Gibson of KordaMentha as receivers of Lighter Quay Hotel Management - the owner of The Westin Auckland Hotel under the operating agreement with Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels and Resorts Pte - as operators we would like to clearly state that our priority is to protect and preserve the business of the hotel.

"It is our intention to continue to operate the hotel under the terms of the operating agreement and we will be working closely with KordaMentha," she said.

Gibson said new terms were struck with staff.

"Receivers re-employ staff on new terms and conditions 14 days after a receivership starts. By the end of last week, we had re-employed all staff at the Westin," Gibson said.

Whether all the staff will be kept on and the future of the business remains up in the air.

"While we are working positively with Starwood, the owner of the Westin brand, to keep the business trading, which is our preferred option, we have not yet got to a position where we can assure staff of anything long term.

"Hence we have only been able to give the staff the comfort of one week's notice. In this climate, however, retaining staff with one week's notice is hopefully seen as positive."