Labour offers civil servants carrot to join unions

Wednesday 2 Feb 2005

Ken Shirley - Press Releases - Other

The Labour Government is forking out taxpayers' money to encourage civil servants in the Ministry of Economic Development to join Labour-friendly unions, ACT MP Ken Shirley revealed today.

Mr Shirley released new information today showing the Government has dished out $395,462 in taxpayer-funded payments to Ministry staff who have joined either the Public Service Association or the National Union of Public Employees since 2002.

"It's a monumental disgrace that staff who joined either union have received an average bonus payment of between $685 and $740, while those who didn't missed out," Mr Shirley said.

"This is bordering on corruption. Civil servants are being paid by the hard-working taxpayer to join unions sympathetic to the Government.

Mr Shirley said the PSA is known as one of the Labour Party's major funders.

"Staff should be paid bonuses for the work they do - not simply because they join a union that supports Helen Clark.

"Civil servants who choose not to join a union shouldn't be treated like second-class citizens in their own workplace. This practice is cronyism of the worst kind, and must be stopped," Mr Shirley said.

ENDS

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