Source: Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi
The Government’s underfunding of the public sector is resulting in yet another destabilising, short-sighted restructure at the Department of Conservation (DOC), the PSA says.
DOC has handed down a document today to its Strategic Communications and Engagement team that proposes 33 positions be disestablished and 37 new positions established.
Under the proposal, 25 fixed terms positions will come to an end naturally, and three new fixed-term roles would be established. In total, the team would be reduced from 83 roles to 55.
“DOC has been forced to reduce staff numbers again and again thanks to the coalition’s crunch on public sector spending,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi national secretary, Duane Leo, says.
“This latest restructure will see critical capability stripped from the communications and engagement team. The PSA is completely opposed to the changes outlined today and will be supporting staff to submit feedback.
“These professionals navigate the complex, and constantly changing, media landscape and online world to make sure New Zealanders know what DOC is doing and how they can contribute to national conservation activity.
“Like so many public sector agencies, DOC is being asked to do more with less. But when you strip away so many staff, you don’t end up with more efficient departments, you get hollowed-out agencies who are physically unable to deliver on what New Zealanders should expect from a modern public service.”
Staff consultation on the proposed changes opens today and closes on 7 September. A final decision is expected on 25 September.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi (https://www.psa.org.nz/) 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.