Source: PSA
A new poll commissioned by the PSA shows the majority of New Zealanders do not believe the Government’s claim that AI can be used to replace public service workers.
The Talbot Mills poll released today shows 53% of New Zealanders reject the Government’s plan to use AI to replace the work of some of the 9,000 public service workers it wants to axe (attached).
“Sacking 9,000 workers and hoping AI fills the gap is not a strategy – it’s a gamble with the services New Zealanders depend on, and the public knows it,” said Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Duane Leo.
“AI can make public servants more productive. We welcome that. But there is no evidence that any country has used AI to replace public sector workers at the scale this Government is betting on.”
PSA launches election campaign to change the Government
The poll is being released today as the PSA launches its election campaign in Auckland with a clear message to voters – the Coalition Government must go in the face of its damaging cuts to public services, the relentless attacks on workers’ rights, and the axing of pay equity.
“Enough is enough – this country can’t afford another three years of a Coalition Government that is robbing New Zealanders of the public services they need,” said Leo.
“We are taking this unequivocal stance to reverse the damage that the Coalition – the most anti-worker government in decades – has inflicted on New Zealanders.”
The PSA’s top five asks of an incoming Government are:
– Fund public services including science to meet the growing demands from an ageing population, rising social needs, and our infrastructure and environmental challenges, and reverse the planned cuts of 9,000 jobs and the arbitrary 1% target for the size of the public service.
– Fund the public health system properly so it has the health workforce to meet New Zealanders’ needs and the investment required to cover the rising costs of medical technology and abandon all moves to privatisation.
– Pass legislation which settles and fully funds the care and support pay equity claim within the first 100 days, restore a legal framework that ensures New Zealand women have pay equity, and commit to the settlement of the 33 cancelled pay equity claims.
– Ensure AI is introduced in a way that makes public service workers more productive and is not used to simply cut roles.
– Begin reversing anti-worker laws including planned cuts to sick and annual leave which cut the pay of part-time workers and others, and the personal grievance law that allows employers to fire workers at will.
“We will campaign hard for a new government that properly honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi and one that commits to winding back this government’s shameful attacks on Māori.
“New Zealanders need a government that doesn’t choose to cut taxes for landlords, tobacco companies and big business over the public services New Zealanders rely on.
“It’s time for a new Government that takes New Zealand’s challenges seriously and invests in a public service that can help meet them.”
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.