compliance
GlobalGAP
GRASP
Part to the GlobalGAP audit is an add on called GRASP (GlobalGAP Risk Assessment for Social Practices). This ensures (along with NZ Employment legislation and regulations) that employers are not using slave labour.
Part of the GRASP requirement is that we conduct elections for Employee Representatives.
An employee representee is someone that is there to support you if you have any concerns and feel you cannot bring these items up with your manager for whatever your reason. They can also provide advice on who to talk to if advice is needed.
Generally we conduct nominations every 5 years (or if someone resigns).
CAJ currently we have 3 Employee Representatives
Gordie – based at Dumbarton, (covering Elderslea, Dumbarton and Nithdale)
Tangi – based at Southern (covering Roseburn & Southern)
Roydon – based in Earnscleugh (covering Hollandia & Earnscleugh)
Some orchards have already undergone the nomination process and already reinstated their Representatives. However, some have not. This is an opportunity to put you name or someone else’s forward for the position(s).
If you would like to nominate someone for your orchard or speak to your existing rep and see if they would like to continue with their role as representative, please fill out the nomination form and return it to your manager.
Note some orchards may have bet me to the punch and the election has already taken place, and you may not need to complete the form. Your manager will let you know this is the case. But even if your site has already gone through this process you can still nominate another person, there is no limit on the number of reps.
ADDITION TO EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVE
As you may be aware CAJ operates its Orchards following the Global GAP standard. This is an international standard that ensure the Orchards meet the highest level of compliance required to meet our customers’ expectations. This season the standard was reviewed, and we will now be audited against version 6. Although the new version is essentially the same as the last, the new version has a significant number of criteria that are sustainably focused, 63 criteria in all. As part of the focus on sustainability CAJ is reviewing its operational practices to see if we meet these new criteria, part of this is the measurement of plant protection products (sprays) that is applied per hectare (kg/ha). Each orchard has been assessed (with the help of using the spray diaries and cropsure data. The next step for us is to calculate the amount of CO2 it takes to get 1 ton of apples to the market. CAJ is also working on an Environmental Management Program (in addition) to the Global Gap criteria and will be working with the Otago Regional Council in determining the overall health of our soil, this project is set to start in 2025.
Part of the Health and Safety at Work Act (section 62) talks about employee Health & Safety representation. The section covers the requirement of a business to have an election if a worker have requested this. This election would cover the workers work group e.g. Orchard workers. As yet we (CAJ) have not received a request from any staff member to have a representative. However, section 62 also scopes the ability for the business to initiate this process itself. In this case the H&S representative can represent all work groups. So CAJ has developed a process where nominations are sort every 5 years (as a minimum). Some sites do this more often. So on the nomination form you will also have the ability to nominate a Health & Safety Representative. This person can be the same as you Employee Rep or different. Ask around your team to see if anyone wants to be either an Employee Rep or a Health & Safety Rep.
Fill out the Nomination Form and get it back to your manager by the 30 November 2024.
If we receive no nominations by the 5 December, then the status will remain with 3 representatives covering both Employee & Health and Safety issues.
HSER position description.