Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Industrial action at Statistics New Zealand


16 November 2012

Industrial action at Statistics New Zealand

PSA members at Statistics New Zealand have launched industrial action over a proposed new pay system and Statistics New Zealand’s heavy-handed approach to the negotiation process.

The low-level industrial action by members of the Public Service Association includes an overtime ban and a work to rule, while field interviewers are withholding or delaying the results of some survey information.

PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff says Statistics New Zealand has essentially jumped over the collective bargaining process.

“It is trying to force staff to adopt a new pay system which was developed in isolation by outside consultants. It was not negotiated as part of the collective bargaining process and staff have had no input into it.”

“Staff believe the new system is confusing, lacks transparency and will be difficult to apply. It has been structured in such a way that some staff will benefit greatly while others won’t benefit at all. Also other employment conditions such as redundancy and long service leave for some groups of workers will be undermined,” Mr Wagstaff says.

The PSA wants to see a pay system which will deliver an across the board percentage increase to all staff and one which is the result of a fairly negotiated agreement.

“Our members feel Statistics New Zealand is not playing by the rules and its attitude has been one of dictating rather than negotiating, which goes against the spirit of its own organisational plan of considering all perspectives. The industrial action is a reflection of their frustration and the fact that their concerns are not being listened to.”

The PSA is willing to return to the negotiating table at any time to try and work towards a fairer pay system and urges Statistics New Zealand to do the same.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.