PSA Press Release

November 5, 2003

Partnership the only way forward

Government, employers, and unions working together in a positive and co-operative relationship is the only way forward for New Zealand, PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said today.

Speaking about the re-signing of the Partnership for Quality Agreement today by the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Helen Clark, and the PSA President, Ian Bamber, Richard Wagstaff said the agreement was a formal recognition of the two parties’ shared commitment to improving the quality of our public services.

“Partnership agreements between employers and the PSA have been entered into across the public sector and are contributing significantly to improvements in the quality of services, management, and jobs. The relationship with the government has also led to some positive results in addressing capacity and capability issues across the sector.”

“The new public service retirement savings scheme announced today exemplifies the kind of results we can achieve when government and unions sit around the table together. The scheme is one more important step in helping to rebuild our public sector.”

Richard Wagstaff said the new agreement would see the partnership relationship broadened within the public sector.

“We would like to see that relationship spread across the areas in which our members work – the public, health and local government sectors - to the point that it is accepted as part of the workplace culture.”

The PSA would also like to see the establishment of a Partnership Centre to assist unions and enterprises, in both the state and private sectors, develop good models of partnership.

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