PSA Media Release

Union membership key to pay rise

“Being a member of a union is the key to a better pay rise,” said Richard Wagstaff, National Secretary of the Public Service Association, commenting on figures released by Statistics New Zealand showing that those covered by collective employment agreements get the highest pay rise.

“There is no doubt that joining a union helps employees get a better pay rise plus fairer terms and conditions of employment, like, extra annual leave and career development.”

The figures released by Statistics New Zealand show that union negotiated collective agreements coming into force are the reason why public sector salary and wage rates have increased by the largest amount since the Labour Cost Index started in 1992.

“The public sector increases are mainly in the health and education sectors which have the highest density of union membership,” said Richard Wagstaff.  ”The message to New Zealand workers is clear: join a union to get a fair deal at work.”

“Our union is committed to bargaining significant pay increases for those working in the core public service who have not received pay increases at the same rate as employees in health and education, said Richard Wagstaff. 

“We are currently in bargaining at the Inland Revenue Department and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry where we are seeking significant improvements to terms and conditions of employment for union members.”

The PSA is New Zealand’s largest union representing over 55,000 public service workers in local and central government, health and community services.

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