Civic Creche Workers Employment Case: Former Mayor Buck's Vote Revealed, After Writing She "never thought any of them guilty."

The New Zealand Reporter for 30 November 2024.

Public excluded minutes have revealed former city mayor Vicky Buck’s voted in favour of appealing the 1995 Employment Court case taken by sacked council workers for compensation over the 1992 Civic Creche closure.

Source: alchetron.com

“I guess they didnt think it was an issue for governance ..No thanks to interview .. have never thought any of them guilty.”

Vicki Buck, in a message to The NZR on 13 February 2023.

“Could you explain why you voted in favour of pursuing an appeal that was eventually successful and deprived the former workers of any compensation or costs.”

The NZR asked former Vicki Buck of her role in the crucial 1995 council decision that saw the sacked workers denied an Employment Court award for compensation of more than $800,000.

The Peter Ellis/Creche case saw Ellis falsely convicted on child sex abuse charge and his fellow Creche workers being drawn into a widening Police probe. It was in that context and with allegations being levelled at the some Creche workers that the council manager sacked all of the workers.

Buck’s role in the 1995 vote comes alongside that of former mayor Garry Moore. Moore denied any involvement in the Creche case, until The NZR brought the 1995 decisions to his attention.

Buck maintained she had no involvement in the Peter Ellis/Creche case.

[An extract of the council minute follow.]