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.
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“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.
