Thompson's dismissal 'not enough'

Alasdair Thompson was dismissed from the EMA this afternoon after weeks of speculation about his fate. Photo / Campbell Live

Unions say the EMA needs to do more than just sack Alasdair Thompson to restore its reputation.

Employers and Manufacturers Association Northern chief executive Alasdair Thompson has been sacked this afternoon for comments in the media saying women are less productive than men because they take more sick leave due to their periods and to look after children.

Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly says the EMA has opposed every initiative on pay and employment equity.

"Now they've been caught out by their leader and what are they going to do about it to restore their reputation? Dismissing Alasdair is not going to be the end of this story," she told Newstalk ZB.

Ms Kelly is urging the EMA to do more, saying they must now do something about gender discrimination.

"They should be preparing advice and agreeing to initiatives that will seriously address that and making sure that their businesses understand discrimination is not in their interests and needs to be addressed."

Other reactions

There has been little surprise shown at Mr Thompson's dismissal, with Prime Minister John Key saying it had the feeling of inevitability.

"In the end that's a matter for the EMA but I'm not shocked by it."

He said his own interactions with Mr Thompson over the past 12 years had been positive.

"But in the end, the situation he got himself into didn't look like it was sustainable. I'm just not surprised they've taken that action."

Asked about the length of time it had taken, he said employment issues were often complex.

He said any issue of a public apology was up to Mr Thompson.

Labour MP Carol Beaumont also was not surprised at the decision, saying Mr Thompson had brought the EMA into significant disrepute and caused significant offence to many people.

Womens' Affairs Minister Hekia Parata said the remarks were unhelpful, untrue and inappropriate and that people should be pleased there has been a resolution.

"I think it's been pretty clear from the response that the remarks made were unacceptable to a wide range of people. In my own experience talking to businesses across the country is that it was a generally felt view that they were unacceptable."

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said she thought most women will feel the EMA's action is justified, while Act MP Heather Roy believes it would have been better for Mr Thompson if he had chosen to resign.

Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty said Mr Thompson clearly meant what he said and it was unacceptable.

She said Mr Thompson's comments were sustained, sexist and incoherent and it was time for him to go.

Mai Chen, founding partner of public law specialists Chen Palmer, and chair of NZ Global Women, said she felt sad for Mr Thompson.

"He's had a 12 year career, he's obviously done some great things. But when I reflect on what this teaches all of us is that you must ensure you've got the proper expertise to do the job.

"The Human Rights act was first enacted 34 years go and that made it illegal to discriminate against women on the basis of gender.

"If any employer had taken his view they would have a personal grievance on their hands for breaching the Human Rights Act, the Employment Act, the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act.

"The difficulty for Alasdair is that there really is no come back from that position."

EMA's "difficult decision"

President of the EMA Board, Graham Mountfort says it regrets the manner in which Mr Thompson's employment is ending considering his contribution over the past 12 years.

"After having considered this matter for some time the Board believes Mr Thompson is no longer able to continue as CEO of the organisation," he said.

"However under the circumstances the Board has had to make this difficult decision."

Mr Mountford says EMA won't be commenting further on the matter.

Bruce Goldsworthy has been appointed acting chief executive for the EMA.

- HERALD ONLINE, Newstalk ZB