Source: PSA
Māori development agency Te Puni Kōkiri has backed down on its latest restructure, in response to the filing of legal proceedings by the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
While there will be minor changes to position descriptions and reporting lines, no workers at Te Puni Kōkiri will lose their jobs. The original proposal would have seen 27 kaimahi lose their jobs.
“We are thrilled for workers at Te Puni Kōkiri who are no longer facing the prospect of job losses and the hardships of unemployment,” said PSA Te Kaihautū Māori Jack McDonald.
“This is a significant victory for our PSA members at Te Puni Kōkiri and shows the power we have as union members when we take collective action.
“We filed legal action in the Employment Relations Authority because Te Puni Kōkiri did not comply with the consultation clause of the collective agreement.
“Our focus throughout this process has been to protect the jobs and livelihoods of our members and as such we have withdrawn the legal proceedings.
“This outcome sends a strong message to other agencies which is that they must uphold the rights of workers and comply with its obligations under collective agreements.
“Given ongoing budget cuts, there will no doubt be further restructuring across the public service. We will do everything we can to protect the livelihoods of public servants and their whānau.
“Māori public servants are being targeted by this Government – kaupapa Māori and Te Tiriti-focused roles and teams across agencies are being decimated. We are doing everything we can to resist this racist agenda in support of the workers who get up every day to keep this country running.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.