Source: Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi
The Government should focus its efforts on settling collective bargaining with 10,000 public servants rather than attacking the PSA over their fundamental right to strike.
Public Service Minister Paul Goldsmith told reporters today the strike by workers from MSD, MBIE, DIA and other agencies on 9 September was politically motivated, being part of the PSA’s Change the Government election campaign. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said they “should be at work” instead, and that negotiations should continue without industrial action.
“Workers have a fundamental right to strike, and the Government should respect that and focus on settling this dispute,” said PSA National Secretary Duane Leo.
“All the public servants are doing is seeking a fair deal for themselves and their families at a time when they, like so many others, are facing huge pressures on their household budgets.
“We are not ruling out further strike action if offers do not improve.
“That’s what the strikes are all about – a pay increase that allows them to deal with the cost-of-living crisis the Government promised to fix.
“If the Government wants them to stop the strikes, the solution is in their hands, and we encourage Minister Goldsmith to focus on that, rather than attacking the messenger.
“We are very open to meeting him over this if that helps him understand what is at stake here.
“These are the people who process benefit payments for families doing it tough, support small businesses and exporters through MBIE, and keep core services like citizenship, running through DIA. They deserve a fair wage for that work, not a government that treats their pay claim as a political attack.
“Instead, we have a government hell bent on squeezing their wages, cutting another 9,000 jobs, merging agencies and hoping AI fills the gaps.
“This is not a recipe for a productive relationship with public servants, and we urge the Government to stop the attacks, and make fair offers to workers,” said Leo.
Previous statement
31 August 10,000 public servants to strike on 9 September
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.