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

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Scoop Business: Bathurst Gets Nod For DoC Access To Denniston Mine

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved access over conservation estate land for Bathurst Resources to develop an open cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau, above Westport, to the dismay of environmental opponents.

The timing for Smith’s move avoids Bathurst having to resubmit applications for access agreements under the revised Crown Minerals Act, which comes into force tomorrow and would have required public consultation.

The announcement lands in the middle of delicate negotiations between the company, environmental groups and other interested parties that could pave the way to a broader agreement on the Escarpment proposal, whose resource consents are still subject to court appeals. More>>