Within one month of Glen Jenner’s election as vice-president of the prison officers’ union, his stated intention to shake-up current union policy resulted in attempts by the old guard led by union president Floyd du Plessis to remove him from office in a manner the Employment Court ruled was in breach of natural justice and was illegal.
Old butted heads with new, in what amounted to a major upheaval following Corrections Union elections in 2025.
Already a member of the union’s 24 member executive committee, Mr Jenner was elected vice-president at the union’s 2025 elections on a platform promoting a need for change in current direction, spending, bargaining approaches and priorities.
He works at Rimutaka Prison, near Wellington.
At time of this election, Mr Jenner was already under threat of disciplinary proceedings.
In general, it is alleged Mr Jenner has undermined union executives and was disruptive at executive committee meetings.
Following Mr Jenner’s election as vice-president, Mr Du Plessis refused to deal with him in person, unless a witness was present. Mr du Plessis supported a union executive resolution having the effect of allowing Mr Jenner to act only on directions from himself as president.
Those holding office as vice-president are an active member of the executive, Judge Beck ruled. Their role is not to simply act as a delegate for the president.
Steps were also taken to have Mr Jenner removed from office as vice-president on grounds of ‘just cause.’
In the Employment Court, Judge Beck ruled that the fact of Mr Jenner taking legal action against his own union, challenging its disciplinary procedures, could not amount to ‘just cause.’
The union also failed to comply with rules of natural justice, she ruled.
Disciplinary complaints against Mr Jenner were not sufficiently itemised.
In addition, there was a risk of bias in any decision by the executive committee for his removal from office as vice president, Judge Beck said.
Judicial impartiality is not expected, but those considering his removal must come to the question with an open mind and be amenable to persuasion after hearing the evidence, she said.
Members of executive committee who proposed the resolution for Mr Jenner’s removal have already signalled their decision. They should not participate in the vote, Judge Beck ruled.
With an Employment Court ruling now clarifying the ground rules, both the current disciplinary action against Mr Jenner and his potential removal as vice president have yet to be decided.
Jenner v. Corrections Association of New Zealand Inc – Employment Court (7.11.25)
26.007