Source: Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi
- Three out of four workers fear move risks their safety
- MSD confirms reduction of three guards to two at 20 centres
- Another Ashburton is waiting to happen
The Ministry of Social Development is pressing ahead with cutting security guards at service centres, just weeks after three-quarters of frontline workers told MSD directly that doing so would put them at greater risk.
The PSA’s survey of members at impacted centres found 74% did not support cutting guard numbers from three to two. MSD has now told staff it is proceeding regardless, only trimming the original list from 22 sites to 20 (see impacted centres below).
“It beggar’s belief that MSD can so wilfully ignore the genuine concerns of workers who said loud and clear the move threatens their health and safety,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“This is irresponsible. All MSD has done is shave two centres from the list of impacted centres. That is not genuine, good faith consultation. It’s a token gesture.
“The tragedy at Ashburton is never far from workers’ minds. We warned in August it was a case of not if, but when another violent incident happens. Nothing MSD has done since changes that.”
Receptionist Peggy Noble and case worker Leigh Cleveland were shot dead 12 years ago. Peggy Noble’s partner, Don Campbel has criticised the plan to cut guards.
He told 1News earlier this month: “It’s a stupid idea really. They just should leave it the way it is. It’s obviously worked.”
“He is right, now more than ever, workers need to be supported,” said Fitzsimons.
“The Government’s policies are putting more people under more pressure. The traffic light system and harsher sanctions, on top of rising unemployment and the cost-of-living crisis, mean people walking into MSD offices are under more stress than ever.”
The new two guard model that is being introduced to 40 service centres is fundamentally flawed.
“MSD staff told us plainly what a two-guard model means in practice – one guard on the door while the other is on a break, no one free to scan the room, and no cover at all for lunchtime seminars that need staff present.
“One worker called it ‘a kick in the guts.’ Another told us simply: ‘I don’t feel safe.’”
“Workers are telling us the exact opposite of what MSD claims. Workers report a noticeable rise in aggression, more lockdowns, and more aggressive clients over the past year or two – yet MSD is relying on its data to claim that incidents have gone down to justify cutting the very staff who keep people safe.
“Frontline workers say incidents are being defused by security guards before they ever need to be logged, so if MSD is using its own incident data to justify these cuts, that data is flawed. There needs to be a proper, independent review of that reporting system before any changes go ahead – MSD has ignored that too.
“MSD should not need a coroner’s report to tell it what its own staff have already told it. We are calling on MSD to reverse this decision, keep three guards at every service centre, and properly fund the safety of the people who work there and the New Zealanders who rely on them.”
Impacted service centres
Flaxmere and Kamo have been removed from the original list of 22 centres. The first t0 centres have reduced security guards from 27 October, the next 10 from 23 November.
- Dargaville
- Huntly
- Johnsonville
- Kāpiti
- Kawakawa
- Kawerau
- Kerikeri
- Morrinsville
- Motueka
- Mount Maunganui
- Ōpōtiki
- Paeroa
- Richmond
- Ruatoria
- Te Awamutu
- Te Puke
- Tokoroa
Previous statements
- 5 August — Not if, but when: Staff fear violence at MSD offices with proposed reduction of security
- 11 February — MSD plan to cut security guards risks repeating mistakes of the past
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.