MBIE ready to return to the table

5 November 2015

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) hopes to return to the table to continue negotiations with the Public Sector Association (PSA) as soon as possible, says MBIE General Manager Human Resources, Kate Wareham.

Referring to the strike by MBIE PSA members today from 10-30am-12.30pm which is in response to MBIE’s pay offer, Ms Wareham says that MBIE is ready to continue its pay offer negotiations with the PSA.

“MBIE’s pay offer to the PSA for 2016 is a minimum two per cent guaranteed pay increase for all PSA members that are performing at or above the requirements of their role, based on their performance assessment. This is in addition to salary increases that most MBIE employees received in September during the 2015 remuneration round.

“Managers would also have the opportunity to recommend additional increases, in addition to the minimum guaranteed two per cent,” says Ms Wareham.

MBIE believes the offer put to the PSA is a fair, reasonable and sustainable offer because:

· a two per cent increase is greater than current inflation levels

· all members have the potential to receive an additional discretionary increase
· providing a guaranteed increase to employees who are meeting performance expectations matches the PSA’s claim for a salary increase for all members – a significant concession by MBIE to help both parties reach agreement

Ms Wareham says that plans are in place to ensure that the strike does not disrupt MBIE’s essential services. This means all immigration at airports around New Zealand will remain open and adequately staffed during any industrial action.

ends

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