11 March

Standards Board Objectives In Line With PSA Approach

The PSA’s Partnership for Quality approach to a better quality state sector, with more valued employees and an improved delivery of services sits, very well alongside the objectives of the report from the State Sector Standards Board, the union says.

PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said the report ‘provided a detailed and robust list of expectations between a Government and its employees at all levels.

‘If all of these things were put in place and all of the core values and principles developed and supported we would have a much better quality state sector.’

The reciprocal commitment by Government Ministers to the state sector was a pleasing development on this approach and ‘a strong signal about the long-term values and goals of the Ministers in this Labour-Alliance Government,’ he said.

‘Working in the state sector is not like working anywhere else. But over the years we have seen the distinctions blurred and fudged at some considerable cost to all involved in the relationship that exists between state sector workers and the New Zealanders they serve.

‘Here today we have a blueprint for change – and that will be change for the better. In particular we welcome the “Whole of Government” analysis and the requirement to articulate a quality focus for state sector organisation,’ Mr Wagstaff said.

‘This report must be treated with respect and conviction and must be acted on. We are confident this will be the case.

‘As partners with Government we welcome it with open arms. Our only concern is that these changes will, in many cases, have to be resourced otherwise the statement of expectation will simply run adrift.

‘Nobody will want to see that happen,’ he said.

For more comment please call the PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff on
025 277 8131 or media officer Colin Williams on 04 917 2039 or 025 575 839

© Scoop Media