Gloriavale leaders have asked residents to consider writing their opposition to former members speaking on their behalf at an upcoming trial.
A survey entitled Gloriavale Members Voice has been distributed in the West Coast religious community ahead of a new labor court case. It was sent to stuff by a former member.
In a May Labor Court ruling, several companies of the Christian community were identified used child labor and treated workers as volunteers when they were entitled to wages and employment protection.
Six former residents, all women, will have their cases heard in a labor court next Monday.
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Cody Packer
A survey was circulated to all Gloriavale members prior to a labor court hearing.
The plaintiffs — Serenity Pilgrim, Anna Courage, Rose Standtrue, Crystal Loyal, Pearl Valor, and Virginia Courage — say that while they were with Gloriavale, they were required to undertake work under the direction and control of the Watching Shepherd and the Shepherds, and that they were employees.
Their claim also extends to an alleged breach of statutory duty by the Labor Inspectorate, which: concluded after a survey that members of the Gloriavale community were volunteers, not employees.
The survey, which has been distributed to all members, asks if they would like to witness the upcoming case to protect the community, church and culture.
It also lists the plaintiffs and 16 former members, the Gloriavale Leavers’ Support Trust, and plaintiffs’ attorneys and asks members to tick whether they accept speaking on their behalf or not.
It asks them to check a box asking the court to “allow me to devote my time, effort and income to the collective benefit of my family and community”.
The survey also asks the court to “protect the people of Gloriavale from misinformed members of the public who are unaware of the changes made so far and from the harassment, intimidation and discrimination that the prosecution has brought against our cultural minority are voiced in accordance with the New Zealand Bill of Rights 1990″.
Cody Packer
Former Gloriavale women filed a lawsuit in the labor court, claiming they were workers, not volunteers. (file photo)
Gloriavale Leavers’ Support Trust manager Liz Gregory, one of those named in the investigation, described it as a “blacklist”.
“I had heard about the survey, but it was very special to read it in person. I had to ask why would they do that?
“It seems unorthodox to list over twenty names of people who have spoken of their own life experiences in Gloriavale that are not favorable to Gloriavale.
“I heard of a song whose names were in the survey and they were pretty sure it’s really just a blacklist. It informs the people who still live there who [are] seeming to come up against the church and who should be silenced,” she said.
“I can only imagine Gloriavale is in a certain amount of turmoil at the moment and none of the leavers here raising their hands with joy over their predicament.
“Everyone who has left still has people they love, and they are currently suffering enormous amounts of stress and strain,” she said.
In a verdict released this month, Labor Court Chief Justice Christina Inglis rejected an offer from Gloriavale’s leaders to sideline her.
They argued that the judge was biased because she was also involved in the earlier case. However, Judge Inglis said that unlike a jury, a judge is able to set aside irrelevant and prejudicial charges.
Gloriavale leaders have been approached for comment.