Power Board adept at handling charge

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 410, 29 October 1991, Page 2

Power Board adept at handling charge

Initiatives jointly taken by King Country Energy and the unions have made the board a leader in the field of managing for change, according to general manager Peter Till.

He told the October board meeting there has been considerable publicity about the King Country initiatives in the trade press and the effectiveness studies. that are being carried out

internally have already thrown up areas where costs can be saved. Mr Till said the effectiveness studies were recommended by the Northern Local Government Officers Union and the New Zealand Electrical Workers Union and were currently being carried out jointly by the unions, management and staff. "As a result there should be a smooth transition from the present board structure to the corporatised opera-

tions of the future." He said it is recognised all round that change is inevitable, but the initiative of the co-operating unions means restructuring in this area should be less traumatic and more effective than in other parts of the country. A meeting mid September between the three parties resulted in a co-ordinating committee being set up to study particular aspects and report back on how more effective ser-

vice could be best achieved within King Country Energy's operations while looking at career opportunities and skills for workers. Mr Till said restructuring was made simpler in this area because the King Country Electric Power Board has always run a very lean and efficient operation. "Some of our staff productivity levels are well in excess of industry standards and reflect the degree of loyalty

that exists within the organisation." With six staff deciding to take voluntary severance packages recently offered, the board will soon have less than 60 people servicing a customer base of 12,000. "The board considers staffing levels to be at the appropriate levels for present needs, and the voluntary severance offer has now been withdrawn," Mr Till said. "Future staffing levels

and how services should be provided are at the heart of the effectiveness study currently being undertaken by the joint management/union subcommittee, so any changes contemplated later should be the result of consensus." The present initiatives offer a "win-win" situation for all parties, Mr Till said. "Our consumers will continue to get the cheapest possible power, changes will occur at a speed with which staff will feel comfortable, but also at a speed which allows restructuring as appropriate to meet the changing conditions." The effectiveness study has also helped staff focus on the needs for improved customer service while minimising costs. "The role of the unions has been crucial in building a positive environment and a common direction for us all here at King Country Energy," Mr Till said. "Let's face it. They're experts at restructuring. They've seen it all."