PSA issues strike notice to MAF

Public Service Association (PSA) members working for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) have lodged notice of strike action from 4.30am on Friday 2 December to 4.30am on Saturday 3 December.

The action will include MAF quarantine officers at ports and airports.

PSA Assistant Secretary Jeff Osborne says members regret the necessity to take strike action, but consider that they have no other option.

“Negotiations have been underway since April this year, and are still unresolved. Members voted to take strike action in July this year; the PSA has been working hard from then to see if a suitable offer can be developed.

“The key outstanding issue is the amount of pay rise offered to PSA members. The employer is offering just over three percent, dependent upon the MAF service the staff work in, and different for each individual. PSA is advocating for a better pay rise from bargaining, common to all members.

“The PSA is also strongly advocating for backpay and an improvement to annual leave.

“Despite the strike notices being in effect, PSA are keen to work with MAF over the next two weeks to see if a satisfactory deal can be obtained. We are considering an offer from the Mediation Services of the Department of Labour to enter mediation and work hard to resolve this, and encourage MAF to do the same, rather than negotiate through the media,” Jeff Osborne said.

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