Source: PSA
The PSA is urging ACC to settle its current industrial dispute if it’s serious about fixing long standing culture problems at the organisation following the release of a damning internal report.
The report identifies serious problems with a lack of trust – workers don’t trust current complaint processes should they have concerns.
The PSA says it’s also alarming that, ‘ACC’s policies, systems and procedures relating to inappropriate conduct and behaviour are not fully in line with public service good practice.’
“This is not good enough. Now is the time for urgent action, not just an apology to staff and it should start with making a fair offer to staff to settle the dispute over the current collective negotiations,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“The review is a damning indictment of a long-standing failure of its senior leadership to hear the concerns of workers.
“It’s no surprise to the PSA and our members that ACC management is struggling to build a supportive culture that respects the needs of all workers and welcomes input from them.
“It should not have taken a review for ACC to treat staff with respect.
“The report only touches on a multitude of issues – now is the time for ACC to take its health and safety obligations seriously – that means working closely with staff and the PSA to ensure it builds a positive, safe and inclusive culture that encourages the voice of workers to be heard.
“Workers need to be empowered to do their best for a critical organisation that touches the lives of thousands of New Zealanders every day. We urge ACC CEO Megan Main to lead from the front to heal the wounds this report exposes.
“Members voted to strike in July because of a failure to bring a meaningful increase for poorly paid predominantly female workers to the table. Many staff are still not earning the living wage. This is all symptomatic of the deep-seated culture problems at ACC the report identifies.
“We hope in the light of this ACC takes a more constructive attitude to renewing the collective agreement and doing the right thing by staff.”
The PSA has sought facilitation over the dispute at the ERA and is awaiting ACC’s response.
