May Day extra significance for Public Sector

May Day is especially significant for PSA and many of its members in the public service, PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said today.

“Today we celebrate the third anniversary of the signing of the PSA and the Labour Government’s Partnership for Quality agreement. Partnership for Quality is a commitment by PSA, Government and employers to work together to produce quality public services through a quality working environment and quality management practices.”

Richard Wagstaff said the signing of the ground-breaking agreement on May 1, 2000 signified a new era for New Zealand’s public service which had suffered for many years through the radical social and economic reforms of the 80s and 90s and had developed a low pay, low morale culture.

“Through Partnership for Quality we have many public service employers working with the PSA in co-operative and open relationships and our members are collectively participating in the management of their workplaces. This is radical workplace reform, and it is benefiting everyone, particularly New Zealanders, who are on the receiving end of much improved public services.”

Richard Wagstaff said some tangible results of the Agreement in operation were significant pay increases for staff in government departments including the Department for Courts, enhanced working conditions and significant premium payments for 2,800 union members in the Ministry of Social Development; and premium payments for union members at the Inland Revenue Department.

Richard Wagstaff said PSA and the Government are committed to working together to produce quality public services for New Zealand.

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