Pay rise for MPs highlights double standards of SSC

Backdated pay rise for MPs highlights double standards of SSC

The Public Service Association (PSA) says a backdated pay rise for Members of Parliament is a double standard on the part of the State Services Commission.

“While we welcome the 1.4 pay rise for MPs as reasonable and in line with some other parts of the public sector, we’d like to see the same rules on backdated pay applied to public service workers,” says PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff.

“The State Services Commission is insistent on no backdating when it comes to wage negotiations for public service workers so it’s grossly unfair that these increases are being backdated for MPs.

“Given that the average wage in New Zealand is $49,474 a year and MPs earn $131,000 many workers could sorely benefit from a backdated pay increase.

“While MPs have no influence over the Remuneration Authority that sets their increases, once again they risk being seen as hypocrites for receiving gains others don’t receive.

“Backdating increases for some and not others will certainly not be viewed in a good light by our members at agencies like Housing New Zealand and ACC who have been struggling for months to get a settlement on their pay and conditions.

“What we want is a fair settlement for our members at these agencies along with backdated pay increases,” says Richard Wagstaff.