Government must take tough stance on MBIE, IRD strikes

25 JUNE 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Government must take a tough stance on strikes at MBIE and IRD, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Jordan Williams says, “MBIE and IRD’s claims should be viewed with cynicism, considering the average public sector worker earns 34% more than their private sector equivalent, a gap that has almost doubled in 25 years. This is the finding of our latest report.”

“The PSA already won the living wage for core public service workers. Now they’re seeking pay rises for more highly paid bureaucrats, in a cynical attempt to piggyback off more legitimate claims from nurses and teachers.”

“The uptick in public sector strikes suggest the unions see the Government as a soft target. If the Government doesn’t start playing hardball now, we’ll see a domino effect of industrial action extending to some the most highly paid workers in Wellington.”

“State Services Minister Chris Hipkins should negotiate with a clear stance that average salaries will not be increased. If anything, there should be a pay freeze for highly-paid bureaucrats until the public sector wage gap is under control,” said the Union spokesman.

ENDS

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