Industrial action by PSA members’ at Ministry of Justice strikes close to home

Around 1500 Ministry of Justice staff walked off the job for two hours today, with rallies held outside Courts across the country.

The show of unity and solidarity in the struggle for equity and fair pay across the Ministry of Justice saw the diverse range of justice workers taking action side by side: Court Security Officers, Court Registry Officers, Victim Advisors, Court Reporters, Family Court Coordinators and workers from the Ministry’s head office and specific courts such as the Māori Land Court.

"Ministry of Justice staff work hard to keep the court system working. This action wasn’t taken lightly by our members," PSA National Secretary Glenn Barclay says.

"The PSA has been trying to negotiate a deal to get members fairly valued for the work that they do and that reduces the gender pay gap.

"Workers are seeking an outcome that values all staff and ensures they are reasonably paid. On Suffrage Day of all days we are also battling to ensure that the gender pay gap is reduced, not increased. At the Ministry it is far too high already, at 15%, and that must come down - and fast".

"An added point that we think the Ministry of Justice is not paying enough attention to is the challenge they’re facing to recruit and retain staff. Vacancies keep growing and the Ministry’s high turnover of staff indicates that they need to value the staff they have more highly".

From 4pm today the action will continue with a month-long ban on overtime and working outside contracted hours of work.

ENDS

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