PSA MEDIA RELEASE

12 December 2010

For Immediate Use

Housing New Zealand staff walk off the job in protest at suspensions

Housing New Zealand staff who are members of the Public Service Association has walked off the job in protest at the suspension of two employees taking lawful industrial action.

Two PSA members at Housing New Zealand’s IT Service Desk were suspended for not answering calls or emails between 10am and 2pm today as part of industrial action.

Staff have been trying to bargain a fair settlement with their employer since August 2009 to gain some certainty around job restructuring, set hours of work and a fair and transparent pay system.

“Our members are upset by Housing New Zealand’s bullying tactics and intimidation in suspending employees for taking industrial action,” says Richard Wagstaff, PSA National Secretary.

“Despite Housing NZ recently reporting a rise in its profits, this year up to $104 million, many of the lowest-paid PSA members at Housing New Zealand have not had a pay increase for two years and their redundancy package is one of the worst in the public sector.”

“It’s extremely disappointing that a state sector employer is so heavy handed and intimidating in its reaction to industrial action driven by our members’ frustration at not being listened to and treated fairly,” says Richard Wagstaff.

“Suspending staff only inflames and makes our members more determined to continue with industrial action until they get a fair hearing.”

ENDS

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