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.”
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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 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.
