Working Life - LIVING WAGE MANA WAHINE EQUAL PAY FOR DHB ADMIN WORKERS BETTER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES NOW - PSA
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Working Life
THE PSA JOURNAL JULY 2018
LIVING WAGE
MANA WAHINE
EQUAL PAY FOR DHB
ADMIN WORKERS
BETTER MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES NOW
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* Policy terms and conditions apply
contents
8-9
Living Wage
The new bottom line
Working Life:
the PSA Journal
Working Life is published quarterly.
10-11 12-13 14-15
Views and opinions expressed in Mana Wahine Equal Pay claim Mental Health
Working Life do not necessarily equality for for DHB admin now is the time
represent PSA policy.
Māori women workers for better services
Editor: Stephen Olsen.
Design & layout: Dan Phillips.
5 Wheels of change
Contributors: Ben Aulakh,
Susannah Bailey, Peter Griffin, the first six months
True Hayes, Tania Te Whenua, under Labour
Jem Yoshioka.
Printing: Webstar, Masterton.
PSA Executive Board
7 Policy setting
Janet Quigley (president), at the top table
Kathy Higgins, Caroline Fisher,
Benedict Ferguson, Jacky Maaka,
Gail Arthur, Marshall Tangaroa, 24 Challenging theatre
Lesley Dixon, Pania Love, with a workplace twist
Erin Polaczuk and Glenn Barclay.
PSA contact details
PSA, PO Box 3817, Wellington. Regulars
Freephone 0508 FOR PSA
(0508 367 772). 4 President's message 22 The Workplace
Email enquiries@psa.org.nz. The working week
16 - 17 Industrial update
NZDF victory 23 Behind The Scenes
18 - 19 International Comics and politics
Thailand, PSI, May Day
26 Networks
20 Connected Eco, snapshots
Privacy protections
28 Around & About
21 On The Job
A life on the 30 Last word
ocean waves Turning back time
On the cover
PSA National Secretary
Glenn Barclay helping out at
a Living Wage stall.
www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 3
President's message
THE RANGE AND PACE of activity I was in the gallery at Parliament
occurring across all of the sectors when it passed its second reading on
covered by the PSA is picking up its 13 June and it was gratifying to hear
intensity in 2018. MPs give acknowledgements of the
part PSA played in this being taken
As being played out daily in the public forward - led by former PSA president
arena and media, the challenges Paula Scholes. Thank you so much
for unions are both demanding and Paula.
exciting. The current Government is
setting an ambitious agenda and is If enacted this piece of legislation will
presenting significant opportunities support victims of domestic violence
for the PSA to engage with to directly to remain in paid employment by
benefit all members (see facing page). providing 10 days paid leave a year,
commended HPHE for creating “a allowing time for attending court,
Priorities such as our work on equal
platform to establish change”. meeting with support groups or
pay remain constant, and are in step
just being with children or family
with issues we have repeatedly been A highly valued aspect of the PSA that members who may need extra care.
at the forefront of over the 105 years I always draw members’ attention to
since the PSA was founded. is the strength of our network groups A key event coming up in the next
for connecting you to other members quarter of the year is the PSA
It is heartening to observe and
with similar interests or issues across Congress. Held every second year this
celebrate the diversity of societal
the union as a whole. is set to take place in Wellington on
and industrial breakthroughs that
25-26 September. It will draw your
often take years and decades of Planning for the next Women’s PSA delegates from all over the
dedicated effort to achieve. As an Network conference, which I am country together to focus on the
example I along with other union supporting, is well underway for future of our union, as well as on
representatives and the National 16-17 August. A recent highlight the theme of the future of work in a
Council of Women, attended the for the network was an opportunity rapidly changing world.
launch of the NZ Football pay parity to meet with Government MP Jan
event in May where the ‘playing field’ Logie who spoke about her Domestic Kia pai tou tatou Matariki
between women and men in that Violence—Victims' Protection Bill. Janet Quigley
sport was made more equal. If football
can do it so can we!
One of the ongoing areas of PSA
work that is quietly but steadily
gaining more traction is the trust
and effectiveness strand of our
Transforming Our Workplaces
agenda.
Proof that High Performance High
Engagement practices can make
a real and lasting difference, for
instance, won recognition this year
at the South Canterbury DHB with
an award presented to PSA members
Maureen Chamberlain and Jo Hunter
and NZNO member Chris Gloag for
their joint project mahi (see also our
Standing together: Members of the PSA Women's Network heard from Green Party MP Jan Logie in
News in Brief on page 6). SCDHB June on a wide range of topics including the progress of the Domestic Violence - Victims' Protection
chief executive Nigel Trainor has Bill through Parliament, and the Law Society’s survey of bullying and harassment in the legal industry.
4 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018
Setting the Scene
The wheels of change are turning
OVER THE FIRST SIX MONTHS of key challenges facing the economy
2018 it seems seldom a day has gone including technological change POISED FOR ACTION
by without announcements from and the transition to a low carbon
As Working Life was going to
the Beehive pointing to adjusted economy.
press PSA members at MBIE
directions and major reviews.
and Inland Revenue were being
2018 BUDGET
The implications of the prospective balloted for their support for
changes being set in motion by the Amidst all the activity related to work stoppages in July. The
Government have huge potential reviews (almost 40 of them by potential action was driven by
and significance for PSA members the Government's own estimate), high frustration across factors
across all of our sectors for the short, this year's Budget had relatively such as slow and unfair pay
medium and long-term. low visibility. CTU economist Bill progression and pay offers
Rosenberg characterised it as a "stop below increases in cost of living.
There have been so many the bleeding" Budget. An intention to
announcements that it's important take a well-being approach to Budget
not to lose sight of them all. 2019 was signalled and the Budget
FAIR PAY AGREEMENTS
speech on 17 May focused strongly
SETTING EXPECTATIONS on the theme of rebuilding core On 5 June Workplace Relations and
public services. Safety Minister Iain Lees-Galloway
Going back to April, an important
named former Prime Minister Jim
initial cornerstone was set in
the form of the Government
WELFARE GROUP Bolger as the head of a team that
will make recommendations on
Expectations on Employment On 28 May Social Development
the design of a Fair Pay Agreement
Relations in the State Sector which Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced
system by the end of 2018. Lees-
embed the role of "effective and an expert advisory group "to support
Galloway: “The aim of FPAs is
productive realtionships with the overhaul of the welfare system"
to prevent a race to the bottom."
unions" in giving employees a voice and to deliver its advice by February The PSA response was that last
in their workplace. This had been 2019. The 11-member group is being year’s $2 billion care and support
agreed as policy by Cabinet in March chaired by Professor Cindy Kiro, a settlement was, in many ways, a Fair
and replaced in its entirety the former Children's Commissioner. Pay Agreement – and one that has
Government Expectations for Pay One way the PSA is proposing to enjoyed huge public support.
and Employment Conditions set by provide the Group with the input of
the previous Government in May frontline perspectives and voices is Also in June State Services
2012. through a worker panel. Minister Chris Hipkins announced
implementation of the Living Wage
Given the scale of bargaining this HEALTH SECTOR REVIEW across core public services.
year the very real challenge is
On 29 May Health Minister David
to break down resistance to the A FULL YEAR AHEAD
Clark announced a major review
expectations set by Government.
into the New Zealand Health and The wheels of change are not slowing
down. The reconvened Joint Working
FUTURE WORK FORUM Disability Sector to identify changes
that could improve the performance, Group on Pay Equity Principles
On 3 May the Prime Minister structure, and fairness of the sector. will be given a boost in July, a new
announced the formation of a Ministry of Housing and Urban
tripartite Future Work Forum to The deadline for an interim report Development is being established
be led by Finance Minister Grant by an expert review panel chaired by and a programme of potentially
Robertson alongside CTU president Heather Simpson is July 2019, with ground-shifting legislative changes is
Richard Wagstaff and Business NZ's a final report expected by January likely to expand further before year's
Kirk Hope. The forum will examine 2020. end.
www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 5
NEWS IN BRIEF
HEALTH AND SAFETY PLUS A WIN FOR HPHE AT SCDHB
The PSA played a prominent role in an inaugural Congratulations to PSA members Maureen
public service wide health and safety conference in May. Chamberlain, Anaesthetic Technician, and Jo Hunter,
In the awards section of the event PSA member Claire Medical Secretary, for the award they shared recently for
Wooldridge Way, who works in the Department of ground-breaking work on embedding High Performance
Conservation's Wairau Office won both the Spirit of Service High Engagement at South Canterbury DHB.
Employee Representative of the Year and the overall Four projects are being progressed: the surgical journey,
Supreme Award. This recognised Claire's work after the mental health and addictions, leave management and an
Kaikoura Earthquake. information services strategy.
WIN FOR ANAESTHETIC CAPABILITY FUNDS ARE
TECHNICIANS CATCHING ON
Anaesthetic technicians employed at the South The Department of Internal Affairs has had a capability
Canterbury DHB are now being paid at the minimum fund since 2015, agreed between DIA and PSA in the form
wage for the time they spend on call but not called in. of a transportable education fund that only PSA members
As reported in the December 2017 edition of Working can access. The way the fund works is that members can
Life the DHB applied to appeal the decision made by the make applications to a panel composed of delegates, a
Employment Court but this was declined by the Court of manager rep and an HR rep for purposes such as attending
Appeal in April. PSA Assistant National Secretary Warwick conferences, leadership development and learning such
Jones: "The Employment Court's decision recognised that as tertiary studies. Inland Revenue are about to adopt this
while they were on duty their time was not their own. member-only benefit as well - under the name PSAchieve
This decision has recognised the important work our - as a tangible way to support and improve the working life
members do." of PSA union members.
High profile at allied health conference
THE PSA HAD a strong presence
at the Allied Health, Scientific and
Technical Conference on 10-11
May at Te Papa - both in terms of
presenters speaking to vital health
issues and having a promotional
stand for engagement and
recruitment.
Impressively, more than half of
the speakers/ poster presenters Also at the conference was PSA represented an opportunity to
were PSA members, including member Rose Henderson, also learn from “amazing people about
Jacqui Turner pictured, at right, of Canterbury DHB, who spoke completely different work you can
with supportive Canterbury DHB on the topic of adapting to take away and apply. It's really rich
colleague Rosemary Eyres. change. Rose says the conference intelligence.”
6 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018
Policy setting
Gathering at the top table
PRIME MINISTER JACINDA
ARDERN and three members of her
Cabinet - Grant Robertson, Chris
Hipkins and Iain Lees-Galloway -
took part in a CTU-convened event at
PSA House on 28 May to talk about a
shared vision for New Zealand.
The Prime Minister's first comment
was that while "being in Government
is hard", there was a determination to
"keep our eye on the long-term and
not lose sight of priority areas." She
underlined the importance of the Tax
Working Group chaired by the Hon
Sir Michael Cullen, which is due to Ministers Iain Lees-Galloway (Workplace Relations and Safety, Immigration, ACC) and Chris Hipkins
(State Services, Education) with PSA president Janet Quigley and National Secretaries Erin Polaczuk
make its interim report by September and Glenn Barclay at PSA House in May.
this year and its final report in
February 2019.
On topics of legislation Minister
Hipkins noted that one of the
drawbacks of the existing State
Sector Act is that it has created a
"fragmented public service". He
acknowledged a need for a culture
change towards a more joined-up
public service, adding "I'm keen to
know about sticking points."
SUBMISSIONS MATTER
Among submissions the PSA has
made to Parliamentary committees
so far this year, two of special note In April the PSA held a popular lunchtime seminar on the Tax Working Group Te Awheawhe Tāke
(TWG), with Bill Rosenberg, TWG member and CTU economist, and Andrea Black, independent
were submissions on bills affecting advisor to the TWG.
Local Government and Employment
Relations. when the time came to speak to the Alex: “I was quite daunted by the
PSA submission on the Employment occasion but the PSA team had me
A main objective of the Local
Relations Bill in May. It was a first ready and raring to go.
Government (Community Well-being)
time experience for both.
Amendment Bill, supported by PSA, “I've always been passionate about
is to restore “the purpose of local Paula: “As a PSA member and workers' rights and fairness, so I'd
government to be to promote the delegate, I felt very honoured to have made a personal submission about
social, economic, environmental, and
the opportunity to contribute to the my experience of 90-day trial periods
cultural well-being of communities.”
legislative process. It was a rewarding and discrimination against union
PSA members Paula Pereda -Perez experience. Having better laws is the members. I hoped that my stories
and Alex Mitcalfe Wilson assisted first step to having a better society”. would help make a difference.”
www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 7
Living Wage
A new bottom line for the public service
FRIDAY 15 JUNE became an historic State Services Minister Chris Hipkins Zealand and 61 percent of the mean
day for the lowest paid workers in stated the move to the Living Wage disposable income for households
the core public service when the would be a one-off adjustment and with two adults and two children.
announcement was made that all in future years will be “subject to
The network of organisations
employees have the right to be paid bargaining between employers and
promoting the living wage have been
at least a Living Wage. unions such as the PSA”.
very clear that the Living Wage is
This step marks improved pay for quite separate from the compulsory
more than 1000 PSA members and This is a function of the statutory minimum
wage. A 75 cent increase was made to
was a move that the PSA pushed for
during the 2017 election campaign. big win for the the minimum wage rate in December
with the current Government
As announced, the new hourly rate public service, committing to a long-term target of
of $20.55 – or annualised equivalent increasing it to $20 by 2021.
of $42,744 – includes full-time, PSA and Living According to Living Wage Aotearoa,
part-time and casual employees and
will be implemented by a one-off Wage movement.” the new independently calculated
Living Wage rate (see facing
adjustment in pay with effect by page) results in a closing of the
1 September 2018. Glenn Barclay: “The next challenge gap between it and the statutory
is to ensure this is embedded in Minimum Wage of $16.50 from nearly
National Secretary Glenn Barclay:
collective employment agreements 30% to 24.5%. Without the Families
“This is a big win for the PSA and
and to achieve that, we need to show Package the new calculations of the
the Living Wage movement. It is
solidarity and support for each other Living Wage could have been almost
a heartening change for many of
across agencies.” $2 an hour higher.
the public service’s lowest paid
employees in their struggle to earn It is now estimated the Living Another ongoing and important
enough to feed families, pay bills and Wage sits at 73 percent of median frontier for growing the Living Wage
save for retirement.” disposable household income in New is the Local Government sector.
8 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018
Living Wage
Calculating the Living Wage
THIS YEAR’S RE-SETTING of the
Living Wage from $20.20 to $20.55
marked the fifth year since the
original living wage calculation of
$18.40 and was subject to a five year
measurement review.
Social policy researcher Charles
Waldegrave, often described as a
tireless chronicler of poverty in
New Zealand, led the review with
associates Peter King and Michaela
Urbanova for the Living Wage
Movement Aotearoa NZ, of which
PSA is an active member.
LIVING WAGE DEFINED Members and supporters of the Living Wage Aotearoa movement in a celebratory mood. From left
The movement’s definition of a to right: Stella Teariki, Pat Bolster, Marlon Drake, Lyndy McIntyre, Adam Awad, Rebecca Matthews-
Heron, Paul Barber, Fleur Fitzsimons, Ibrahim Omer.
Living Wage is that it represents “the
income necessary to provide workers
emphasis on direct costs has been the basic necessities, and needs
and their families with the basic
extended to estimates for household to embrace things like “having a
necessities of life. A living wage will
energy, health, communication and computer in the home and being able
enable workers to live with dignity
education. Estimates for another six to mix with friends recreationally,
and to participate as active citizens
items of spending remain anchored albeit modestly”.
in society.”
to data in the Household Economic
The Living Wage is directed at lifting Survey (HES). It observes that New Zealand is a
the incomes of low paid workers in “laggard in wage levels” and cites
the context of a two adult, two child A WEEKLY BUDGET the 40% of children in poverty who
household where there are 60 hours have at least one adult in their family
The estimate of a household’s weekly in full-time employment or self-
of employment. This modeling is in
budget needs arrived at by the new
line with research in other countries employed as “an important context
review was $1,169 a week or an
where living wages are important for a living wage movement.”
annual total of $60,784, which in turn
standards for worker well-being.
required an annual gross income of
FIVE YEARLY REVIEWS $64,059 across two adults over 60
hours per week.
Sweet as in Dunedin
The original premise for the rate In another milestone for the
in New Zealand was that it should The review report of 46 pages has Living Wage movement the Otago
relate primarily to movements in succinct summaries of each itemised Chocolate Company (OCHO)
wages with a five yearly review to expenditure category. Rent is the became the 100th accredited
allow new data and information biggest weekly item at $332, followed Living Wage Employer in New
to be used to refine its carefully by food at $212 and transport at
Zealand in June. The list, which
constructed calculations. $131.56.
includes the PSA and a wide range
‘Needs-based’ estimates for food and The report points out that of community organisations, keeps
rent costs were possible from the participation as active citizens growing at livingwage.org.nz
outset and through this review an is about more than surviving on
www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 9
Te Rūnanga
Mana Wahine
In an exciting development Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina - as the body
representing Māori members of the PSA - is on track to become a Principal
Claimant in the Waitangi Tribunal's WAI 2700 Mana Wahine Kaupapa inquiry.
Lawyer Tania Te Whenua sets out some wider background context to this.
WHILST THE CAMPAIGN for shows Māori service providers
As a society
gender equity in employment languishing at the bottom of the
gathers increasing momentum, for rung. As an example mainstream
women who experience additional early childhood education centres
discrimination simply by being
Māori the fight for equal treatment in
we continue receive a 20-hour funding subsidy of
up to $12.01 per hour per full-time
employment has just begun.
Statistics demonstrating inequities
to turn a blind enrolment Māori early childhood
education centres (kōhanga reo)
receive only $8.76 per full time
faced generally by women in
the workplace have been well
eye to overt equivalent, almost 30% less. This
is a difference which whānau are
documented.
As set out in a submission made by
inequities.” overwhelmingly unable to make up
leaving the predominantly female
the CTU Women's Council to the kōhanga reo staff obliged to work for
UN Committee on the Convention Pay and represented to the Waitangi minimum wages.
on the Elimination of All Forms Tribunal's Mana Wahine Kaupapa The racially discriminatory
of Discrimination against Women Inquiry earlier this year bring the application of funding by the
(CEDAW) last year "The lack of inequities into stark relief by noting Crown is not limited to chronically
enforcement of the right of equal that: “Research which focuses on underpaid industries such as care
pay to work of equal value results inequity suffered by women is in and education. Even the Māori Land
in not only low wages but poor reality a focus on Pākehā women. Court receives the lowest funding of
employment conditions, gender- all judicial bodies and by legislative
based discrimination, lack of career “This masks the compounding
determination a judge of the Māori
and promotional opportunities. discrimination suffered by women
Land Court is entitled to the lowest
who are also Māori… whereas Pākehā
salary of all judicial officers.
“Low pay puts families under pressure women earn 15% less than their male
and creates a new group of working counterparts, wāhine Māori earn 27% It is also worth noting that 25 years
poor.” less than Pākehā men. In dollar terms after the centenary of women's
this is a difference of a whopping suffrage was celebrated, a point made
Survey upon survey reveal the once
$8.89 per hour. The take home point back in 1993 by authors Lisa Davies
insidious bias faced by women in
being that wāhine Māori do not and Natalie Jackson is just as relevant
employment as an inescapable truth.
simply earn less than Pākehā men and today, namely that “…after [over] one
Yet, as a society we continue to turn a
women, they earn significantly less...” hundred years of contribution to
blind eye to overt inequities faced by
the economic development of New
Māori workers.
In addition a consideration of the Zealand, the employment status of
Work done by groups like the full range of tables disclosing Crown Māori women does not equal that of
Coalition for Equal Value and Equal funding to public service providers Pākehā women.”
10 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018Te Rūnanga
What is astounding is the Crown’s
inert acceptance of its role in
influencing this disparity. The Kaupapa Inquiry Programme
The Waitangi Tribunal set a framework for its Kaupapa Inquiry
HOLDING THE CROWN Programme in 2015 with the intent of providing "a pathway for the hearing
ACCOUNTABLE of nationally significant claim issues that affect Māori as a whole or a
section of Māori in similar ways." At the time, Tribunal chair Chief Judge
For this reason, the Rūnanga of the
Wilson Isaac noted this was the first new programme initiated by the
PSA (Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Awhina)
Tribunal in the last 20 years, and that it signalled a "determination to
and CTU (Te Rūnanga o Ngā Kaimahi provide access to justic for all claimants."
Māori o Aotearoa) are currently on
the cusp of joining the Waitangi
One of the founding claims in the present Mana Wahine Kaupapa
Tribunal kaupapa inquiry into issues
Inquiry dates back to 1993 when a group of Māori women submitted a
affecting Māori women (the Mana claim to the Waitangi Tribunal (the Mana Wahine claim) alleging that the
Wahine Inquiry) to hold the Crown Crown's actions and policies since 1840 have systematically discriminated
accountable for failing in their role against Māori women, depriving them of their spiritual, cultural, social
as funder, procurer and regulator of and economic well-being which is protected by the Treaty of Waitangi.
employers, as well as a significant It was originally lodged by the late Dame Mira Szazy, along with another
employer itself, to proactively former Maori Women's Welfare League President, Dame Whina Cooper,
influence employment conditions Lady Rose Henare, Dr Irihapeti Ramsden, and representing the younger
and actively protect wāhine generation of the time, Donna Awatere, Ripeka Evans and Paparangi Reid.
Māori workers from inequities in
employment.
The Crown for its part have made He Reo Wāhine
an early acknowledgement within
Did you know that in the same year
the inquiry that “…employment
that New Zealand women won the
issues (including pay equity and pay
right to vote, two Kāi Tahu women
gaps) are also priority issues for this from Taumutu addressed a petition
Government” and have intimated to their representative, the MHR
that those representing wāhine Māori for Southern Māori, H.K. Taiaroa,
voices such as Te Rūnanga could be praying for relief?
invited to dialogue directly to help
As documented in He Reo Wāhine
shape Crown policy on these issues.
(AUP 2017) these women are just
This presents a massive opportunity a few of the hundreds of Māori
for Te Rūnanga to influence change petitioners who addressed the state
on behalf of its wāhine Māori during the nineteenth century,
members. including around 145 women who
about petitions and their strong role
appealed for remedies to injustices
This has the potential to set a strong in the history of citizenship in a Public
visited on their communities and
precedent for addressing similar History talk that was Recorded at
families.
issues affecting tāne Māori, being the National Library of New Zealand
The book was co-authored by Dr on 4 April this year. She described
reminiscent of the courageous words
Angela Wanhalla, who teaches at the petitions as both political acts
of Te Hōnore Dame Tariana Tūria:
the University of Otago, and Māori- and as a "significant body of Māori
“We must always be prepared to language scholar and historian, writing". The talk can be listened to at
speak up and speak out about things Lachy Paterson. Dr Wanhalla spoke newzealandhistory.podbean.com
which in the end affect all of us.”
www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 11Equal Pay
Equal pay claim endorsed by
members across all DHBs
AN IMPORTANT TURN was taken in
the long and winding road to equal
pay for DHB administration and
clerical workers on 18 April.
This was the day that PSA members
raised an equal pay claim with
DHBs across the country, with the
neat coincidence that it was also
Administrative Workers' Appreciation
Day.
OVERLOOKED FOR
TOO LONG
PSA National Secretary Erin Polaczuk
says the claim, raised under the Cath Jackson, representing DHBs as TAS/ Shared Services Employment Relations director, receives
process recommended by the Joint the PSA Claim for the Implementation of Equal Pay from PSA member Anne Shanks, a DHB Medical
Typist (right) and PSA campaigner Jo Taylor (middle).
Working Group on Pay Equity
Principles, is about "ending the fight
clerical work is further affected by historian Sarah Christie into the way
for equal pay once and for all."
it not being seen as being central to that the history of clerical work can
Polaczuk: "DHB clerical and the delivery of direct patient care. shed light on the general pattern of
administration staff - around 90 Other points made in the claim are 'women's work' and the impact this has
percent of whom are women - keep that gender pay inequality is kept had on wage levels (see opposite page).
the health system running. They 'hidden' by a lack of transparency
keep the system on its feet, and the in remuneration structures, and Another historical angle highlighted
importance and value of their work that discretionary components in the claim is the now forgotten
has been overlooked for too long. within those structures contribute to relativity that used to be applied
maintaining inequality. between rates of pay for clerks and
"They are among the poorest paid,
tradesmen, dating back to the 1970s
with most paid little more than the
minimum wage because their jobs BRINGING GENDER BIAS and upheld then under the NZ Clerical
have been considered 'women 's work'. TO THE FORE Workers award.
The 11-page claim was endorsed by A strong element of the claim is the PUSHING HARD
almost 5000 PSA members working in reference to and inclusion of social,
cultural and historical factors that The PSA claim is pushing hard for
DHBs, and specifies up to 50 job titles/
roles within the claim document. have all contributed to "an inability ... an "orderly, efficient and reasonably
to properly assess the remuneration bounded process".
Part of the claim reads that within for these roles in a manner free of
the health context, the systemic Our timetable is to enter negotiations
gender bias".
undervaluation of the nature, by September-October and to have a
responsibilities and circumstances/ In preparation of the claim the result by November. Watch this
conditions of administrative and PSA commissioned research from space!
12 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018Equal Pay
Research: Women's clerical
work was segregated
HISTORIAN Sarah Christie's work on The two World wars of the 20th that a gendered division of work was
the feminisation and segregation of century opened doors for a female being perpetuated by downsizing or
the clerical workforce helps define influx into the workforce but were re-categorising jobs filled by women
the parameters of an area of research treated as emergency situations. to assign them less responsibility.
that is much-needed to better inform
an essential struggle. Christie writes that new positions at For the following decades Christie
the time of Workd War 1 were created identifies the biggest shift within
In a research paper for the PSA clerical work as the increasing
At the
Christie notes that clerical work has participation of married women.
been ignored by the historians of
CONCLUSION
of the
hospitals.
Her research covers up to the This research describes the story
hospital
period before equal pay legislation, of administration and clerical
demonstrating just how far back the work for women as one of "both
restriction of women to lower status, expansion and limitation".
lower paid roles goes.
Christie concludes: "Despite
From the early days of increased significant changes in the
on a blanket basis as 'temporary' and
participation in the workforce relationship between women and
always surrounded by the premise
women were being limited to the workforce... the legacies of
that a women's future prospects
certain sectors and occupations; segmentation and historical attitudes
would be put behind them, or even
a segregation reinforced by to women and work can still be seen
barred, by marriage and motherhood.
educational options, workplace in continued pay inequities and
attitudes and government policies. By the 1940s it was also apparent undervaluing of clerical work."
Breaking news
June 2018: Worth the wait – “Our members in mental health and "Our members stood together and now
mental health and addiction addiction support were unfairly left they’re getting what they deserve.”
support workers get equal pay out of the original settlement,” PSA PSA Mental Health Committee co-
Mental health and addiction support Assistant National Secretary Kerry convenor Pollyanna Alo says mental
workers have been rewarded for their Davies says. health and addiction support workers
patience – with their long fight for equal “The mental health and addiction like her will feel valued for the work they
pay finally over. support sector urgently needs more do.
The Government has confirmed the staff, and this should help to recruit and “This means everything to me,” she says.
care and support settlement will be retain skilled and dedicated workers.
“Now support workers throughout New
extended to these workers. “The Labour-led Government has Zealand are able to feed their families,
An estimated 5000 workers will get a made good on its commitment to work put petrol in the car and just enjoy the
pay rise, backdated to 1 July 2017, the with unions and employers to deliver odd treat without a stranglehold on
date of the original $2 billion settlement. where the National Government failed. their finances.”
www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 13Mental health
Now is the time for better mental health
and addiction services
By July the Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry will have reached out to
communities from Whāngārei to Invercargill as part of the formal
Inquiry process launched in Palmerston North on 27 April 2018.
THE MENTAL HEALTH and addiction drew directly on survey responses
inquiry panel - consisting of Professor from 500 members to questions
Ron Paterson, Dr Barbara Disley, Sir about key issues such as workforce
Mason Durie, Dean Rangihuna, Dr shortages and ideas for improved
Jemaima Tiatia-Seath and Josiah service delivery. It was complemented
Tualamali’i - is determined to meet
the Government's timeframe of The union for by a PSAY submission based on
survey responses from another 149
delivering a “solutions based” report
by the end of October.
mental health members.
Professor Paterson states that
As featured in the March edition of meetings will go on with individuals
Working Life this is an Inquiry that and groups - including people
PSA members fought hard to see
with mental health and addiction
happen.
challenges, their families and
PSA National Secretary Erin Polaczuk: BRINGING MEMBERS' whānau, service providers, advocates,
organisations, institutions and
“It is telling that the public meetings VOICES TO THE FORE
held around the country by the experts - through to late August.
Inquiry panel are only just beginning For its part the PSA has been pushing
He has also given an assurance
to scratch the surface of a discussion hard at every opportunity for face-to-
that the final report will contain
on mental health and addiction that face, worker-only sessions with the
is deep, painful for many and long recommendations about mental
panel.
overdue.” health, addiction and suicide
A submission has been made to prevention that are “practical and
The phased process being run for the the Inquiry with input from PSA's doable - for the short and long term
Inquiry has combined public-facing Mental Health Committee. This and at national and local level.”
forums with a call for submissions
that closed on 5 June after attracting
some 5000 responses. PSA organiser Maddy Drew was on
hand for the Inquiry panel when it
At that point Inquiry chair Ron met mental health and addiction
Paterson observed that a strong workers from Hutt Valley DHB and
sense was emerging of people’s main wider Community on 22 May.
concerns and ideas, along with “some
Maddy, who is based three days a
unique local and cultural issues.”
week at Hutt Hospital, is seen here
“Our purpose is to identify unmet in deep discussion with a member
needs and develop recommendations of the team supporting the panel as
for a better mental health and it has been making its way around
addiction system for Aotearoa New more than 20 locations.
Zealand.”
14 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018Mental health
On the Road
JOSIAH TUALAMALI'I chairs
the Pacific Youth Leadership and
Transformation Council (PYLAT) and
has brought a youth perspective to the
Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry
panel. Josiah shares some insights
from the experience of being on the
panel here:
Talofa lava whanau. Out on the
road with the Inquiry panel we’ve
been hearing from young people
at school, some who have accessed
mental health or addictions support Josiah Tualamali’i at centre, with from left to right: Billy West, PSA delegate from Pathways; Sue
and others who are speaking out McCullough, PSA organiser; Tarn Evans, PSA delegate from LinkPeople; and Alex Ward, PSA
organiser.
against the stigma that exists which
prevents people from asking for help.
how it’s not realistic to expect young In Dunedin I met inspirational Vicki
Some have taken steps like putting
people to turn to their parents or Taylor from the PSA, and learnt about
work on hold to support their family
counsellors for support when they the work done by the Yes We Care
members' wellbeing fulltime.
are going through tough times, but campaign last year to address our
As the youth voice on the panel I've they do talk with their friends. suicide statistics and about the safe
been inspired by these signs and space it provided for many people to
examples of hope. A gem from this korero was the ideal connect and share their stories and
of focusing wellbeing education on hope.
At St John's College in Hastings we how to be an awesome friend, and
met a group of 9 young men who, In each of these examples young
how supporting a friend through a
supported by staff, have created a people have shared what the ideal,
hard time is a practical way to take in
strong relationship with a mental healthy Aotearoa would look like.
the message for yourself too.
health provider, the Whatever It They are living it now. We are so
Takes Trust (WIT). One visit that has left a significant grateful for the taonga that we’ve
impression on me was meeting heard from so many people.
The students have visited clients at
WIT multiple times in 2018 to get to young men who have completed So far, as a panel we have attended
know them. The mana of the young Duke of Edinburgh awards, run over 160 meetings with community
men and the WIT clients is being marathons, grow their own garden, groups and organisations and will
enhanced. fix bicycles, paint beautiful murals continue meetings with interested
and more, all inside a Corrections people, including youth, student and
One of the amazing wahine toa I’ve unit. school groups through until August.
met on the road is Lucy McSweeny,
who presented a petition signed by
9,500 people to Parliament last year. Tracking the progress of the Inquiry
Lucy would like to see an Aotearoa Full details about the process being followed by the Mental Health and
where there is better mental health Addiction Inquiry are available at www.mentalhealth.inquiry.govt.nz
education in all schools. While PSA is including updates on the progress of the Inquiry on our social media
pushing forward the petition, she channels, in PSA News and on our campaign page at
has been visiting schools sharing
www.psa.org.nz/media/campaigns #standtogetherformentalhealth
her story. One of the key ideas Lucy
shared with the Inquiry panel was
www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 15Industrial
Current NZDF National Delegates gathered in Wellington in
May to continue the hard yards that go into industrial bargaining.
Pictured from left to right are: Paul Barton, Sam Dowd, Robert
Sisterson, Lawrie Knight, Rachel Gabbard-Jaspers, Peata
Warmington Hekenui, Andrew Fruean, Katene Peretini, David
Coates (PSA National Organiser), Tre Hutchins
Winning one victory at a time
A significant victory won by civilian staff employed by the
New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) last year has removed a barrier
to putting their employment relations on a new footing.
BARRIERS IN INDUSTRIAL blanket refusal to discuss any form In addition to acknowledging the
bargaining don't come much bigger of salary scale having proposed work of the bargaining team, PSA
than an employer refusing to allow one.” The determination concluded national organiser David Coates says
remuneration to be put on the table. by ordering NZDF to “negotiate the outcome was “a real credit to the
meaningfully on the PSA's proposal a strength, tenacity and staunchness
When PSA members at NZDF were
wage scale be included in the CEA.” of the members who hung in, and
invited to be 'consulted' about a pay
by trusting the process and their
system, on the proviso that this take As stated by PSA National Secretary
representatives achieved a great
place outside of bargaining and that Glenn Barclay at the time this also
all decisions would be controlled set “an important precedent for other deal for themselves and the wider
entirely by NZDF, a decision was workplaces in local government movement.
taken to fight the good fight by taking and the state sector where some “Thanks to this decision, the
a case to the Employment Relations employers refuse to bargain pay.”
obligation of good faith in the
Authority (ERA).
It was a reminder that a bargained employment relationship could
In its resulting determination the approach requires an agreed be restored. With that battle won,
ERA affirmed that the PSA is entitled consensus before a conclusion national delegates have been freed
to seek a bargained outcome in is reached and agreed, whereas up to move on to additional ways
respect to wages, further adding consultation implies agreement need to reinvigorate the working lives of
“the PSA is entitled to more than a not be reached. It's a big difference. fellow PSA members at NZDF.”
16 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018Industrial
IN THEIR OWN WORDS »» This was a taxing time but it's »» (This shows that) following
been worth all the time and effort and enforcing ERA processes
WHEN NZDF National Delegates put into it - not only in bargaining generally resolves issues.
gathered in Wellington in May but at a local level too.
Working Life collected some »» This has laid the groundwork for
reflections on what the ERA victory »» There is an historical effort us to bring the CEA back into one
has meant for them. involved from this team prior to document and enhance it for all
my involvement but I have seen members.
»» Without this ERA ruling we the results in the ratification of
would not have a new CEA. our new CEA. »» I look forward to more
discussions around pay, and
»» In my opinion I think that it was fighting to further strengthen
a very significant thing for the
members of NZDF civilian staff This victory the pay question/ argument,
especially equal pay and gender
and potentially across other
organisations.
is only the equity.
»» (This) highlights that PSA beginning.” National Delegates also discussed
how milestones like this help to keep
members have rights and it them motivated:
highlights that bargaining pay is »» This set the tone for both the next
a fundamental right. bargaining round and how PSA »» I'm motivated simply by
and NZDF will interact in the supporting and representing the
»» Both sides were waiting for an meantime. It's made it easier and interests of our members.
outcome, and both sides were less stressful.
unable to move without it. »» For me (being part of the union)
»» What happened was a complete is about an overwhelming sense
»» This has given more strength to change to a key foundation of the of looking after the little guy, and
the bargaining team to ensure employment relationship, and seeing that everyone gets a
fairness and integrity. it overturned several years of fair go.
policy.
»» Some of our members would »» I'm doing what I'm doing with
have still been hindered and »» This has helped to bridge, but not PSA because I want to help people
discriminated against, even more fix, some of the inequity between who don't have the confidence to
than other civilians are generally. union and non-union employees. have a voice, to have that voice.
The timeline
August 2016 - Bargaining begins
February 2017 - Claim filed in
Employment Relations Authorit
April/May 2017 - Industrial Action
April 2017 - PSA and NZDF attend
mediation at MBIE
29 June 2017 - ERA investigation
meeting
29 September 2017 - ERA
determination
November 2017 - Bargaining resumes
February 2018 - New CEA Ratified NZDF National Delegates spent two days together in May working through common goals for
building on an improved employment relationship. As one delegate put it "we are slowly building
April 2018 - CEA signed trust at national and local levels, and without trust we have nothing."
www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 17International
Bringing stories from Thailand
THAI UNIONIST 'BEE' brought some
powerful stories from the frontline of
unionism to the PSA in April.
Bee, pictured with host and good
friend John Maynard of the Postal
Workers Union (PWUA), was in
New Zealand on a flying visit with
opportunities to attend events
such as the launch of the 2018
Living Wage and the re-opening of
Wellington's historic Trades Hall
following earthquake strengthening.
“A highlight," says Bee, "has been the of factory work to supplement their Now running a factory cafeteria,
introductions to so many people who livelihood. Bee's working life has included
are openly members of unions, and time as a journal writer and
especially all the strong women”. During Bee's working life she has
made many sacrifices to provide editor and celebration of victories
Bee's family live and farm in the leadership within area-based unions, we would take for granted like
very far north of Thailand and not while operating under harsh and winning workers “the right to have
unusually she migrated to the world draconian circumstances. chairs with a back on them”.
*Conditions apply
18 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018International
Flying the regional PSI flag
THE PSA WAS WELL REPRESENTED
at this year's Oceania Sub Regional
Advisory Committee meeting of
Public Services International (PSI) in
Sydney on 21-22 May.
The regional OSRAC meeting
brings together public service
union affiliates from New Zealand,
Australia and throughout the Pacific -
Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook
Islands. In total PSI's wider Asia and
Pacific region covers 122 unions in
22 countries and related territories
with a membership of two million
workers.
Executive board and Rūnanga
representative Marshall Tangaroa
delivered a presentation on Nga
Kaupapa. He says the gathering
Representing: PSA's Benedict Ferguson, Glenn Barclay, Marshall Tangaroa, Caro Fisher, Kelly Cotter,
allows a great appreciation of Lauren Hourigan and Erin Polaczuk.
international unionism; noting too
that issues being faced are “not to promote how we are working with that network's successful efforts in
hugely different” from country to young PSA members to the world”. pursuing corporate tax avoidance.
country. Vice-president Benedict
Ferguson says something the PSA is Trade topics such as the CPTPPA PSA National Secretary Erin
leading the way on is its engagement were well covered at the meeting and Polaczuk and recent addition to
with younger union members. “We one of the guest speakers was Jason the executive board, Caro Fisher,
should be proud of what PSAY has Ward from the Tax Justice Network presented to OSRAC on the topic of
achieved and we need to continue in Australia. Ward spoke about whistleblowing.
An international union resource for May Day and beyond
IF YOU ENJOY short films of austerity and neoliberalism, coupled (Brazil); Dr Activist and Justice: A
stories told well, then the ONE with campaigns for trade union public service (both Chad); Showing
DAY series produced by Public rights, disaster preparedness and Human Face (USA); Higher Ground
Services International (PSI) and access to quality public services. (Japan) or Comrade Chepeto!
released on May Day comes highly (Guatemala).
The Working Life team love the movie
recommended.
titles so much we think they alone As PSI says, while these mini-
As stated at oneday.world-psi.org make for a great trailer. How can documentaries might be different
ONE DAY stars over a dozen workers you beat titles like these: Guardians “the goal of these public workers is
from across the globe and features Of The City or Sound and Silence the same: To make their communities
struggles against privatisation, (both from Italy); We''re Not Trash better for all - not just the rich few.”
www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 19Connected
by Peter Griffin
THE EUROPEANS HAVE BEEN It impacts not only companies that The GDPR has been in the works
LEADING THE CHARGE ON use EU citizens data, but the myriad for years, but its official roll-out
PRIVACY PROTECTION. range of companies that host and now is timely, with the Facebook-
process that data. Cambridge Analytica data scandal,
If you’ve had a flurry of emails from
It is also backed up with stiff fines for which saw profile details of tens of
companies asking you to review their
non-compliance - a company flouting millions of people mined by political
updated terms and conditions, you
have the Europeans to thank for it. the law could face a fine of up to 20 consultants, serving as a reminder
million euros, or four per cent of its of the power of big tech companies
Sweeping privacy regulations global revenue, whichever is largest. in the data age.
May 25th saw sweeping data privacy That has seen the likes of Google, Expect to see test cases working
regulations going into effect in the Facebook, Microsoft and Amazon, their way through the courts of Paris,
European Union, with ramifications which have major operations in Berlin and London in the coming
for how the data of citizens is used Europe and millions of customers months and years as Europe’s new
and stored here in New Zealand as there, hastily changing their policies data privacy laws are tested.
well. to become gdpr-compliant.
With a privacy bill currently
The General Data Protection Ripple effect for New Zealand before Parliament that currently
Regulation (GDPR) continues the
New Zealand companies doing includes provisions to beef up the
European Union’s recent theme
of cracking down on the power of business in the EU will also need investigative powers of the Privacy
technology companies. to be compliant. But the roll-out of Commissioner, the GDPR could also
the legislation will provide some influence the development of data
Whether it is anti-trust action to measure of boosted data privacy privacy legislation here too.
water down Google’s market power protection to Kiwis as well, with
or stiff fines to claw back taxes from Google and Facebook vowing to The Privacy Commissioner's
Apple, Brussels is on a quest to make make the tighter data protection the 136 page submission on the bill
those profiting from the ‘big data’ Europeans will enjoy, apply to the included 51 references to the GDPR.
explosion more accountable for their rest of the world as well. The bill's key purpose is to promote
actions. people's confidence that their
Our own Ministers are turning their
personal information is secure and
The 'right to be forgotten' attention to data governance as
will be treated properly. The Justice
artificial intelligence is set to play a
The GDPR mandates that EU citizens Committee's report, due back by 11
greater role in government services.
can find out what information October, will make for interesting
companies are holding on them, The goals of innovative, open reading.
request it in a ‘machine readable’ government and protection of
format so they can take it to a rival citizens’ privacy will have to be Journalist Peter Griffin was founding
provider, and all data about them carefully balanced as more data- manager at the Science Media Centre
erased - the so-called ‘right to be driven decision making is employed from 2008 to 2018. He hosts the RNZ
forgotten’. across government. programme Bits+Bytes.
20 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018On the job
by Ben Aulakh
A LIFE ON THE OCEAN something we can do to prevent that
sort of thing happening again.”
WAVES.
A working life sailing the ocean waves The former captain says she also
has proved a perfect preparation for enjoys the greater balance between
PSA member Jenny Cuttriss’s current the genders in her current role at the
job of investigating accidents at sea commission.
as a marine accident investigator for
“You do have women coming up
the Transport Accident Investigation
through the ranks at sea, but the
Commission (TAIC).
gender balance is still very much
The back story of Cuttriss's 18 skewed towards the male side. The
year career at sea was captured in office environment is so much more
Emmanuel Makarios' book All at Sea: balanced as far as the genders go.”
Stories of New Zealand Seafarers Cuttriss also emphasises that as
published last year. invaluable as her experience in the
“I don’t have the immediate
Her love of the sea was first sparked marine industry had been, keeping
responsibility for a couple of hundred
by spending 10 days on board the an open mind when carrying out her
souls as I did on the Interslander,
sailing ship Spirit of Adventure when investigations was a key attribute of
navigating them through quite
a seventh former at St Oran's College her role at TAIC.
dangerous waters and sometimes
in Lower Hutt. some very challenging conditions. “Especially with some of the overseas
She later worked on ferries in the “In this job the pressure is different, accidents, when you look at the
United Kingdom, before becoming you are looking forward all the evidence it’s not something you can
the first female Interislander captain time and thinking what can the do quickly. You have to be careful
when she was on board the Aratere organisation do to make things less your experience doesn’t bias what
in 2014. dangerous in the future.” you see in front of you. The last
thing you want to do is jump to
Cuttriss says a move ashore into her “From the evidence of an accident we conclusions.
current role had been a change from try to assess the circumstances and
a more pressurised position on the reasons why an accident happened. “We have to be very measured and
water. fair in what we determine from the
“There are a set of criteria around evidence.”
“Moving to TAIC has been a nice which ones we investigate and which
sideways step to being at sea. are done by Maritime New Zealand, The Wellington-based Transport
but certainly we investigate the more Accident Investigation Commission
“Coming in to a shore job I needed serious accidents that are in the comprises five Commissioners,
to find something that kept my brain public interest. I find it fascinating supported by a Chief Executive and 27
ticking over, and this role definitely to look into why these things have staff, with an annual budget of about
keeps me intellectually motivated. happened, and whether there is $5m.
www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 21The workplace
by Harry Johnson
THE WORKING WEEK'S 34 35
36 37 1
departments had been a measure
2 introduced in WWI.
CURIOUS CONTINUUM... 32
33 3
4
31 5
The question periodically arises as to 30 6 Going to the journal issues for 1914,
29 7
when public servants began to work a 28 8
we find the following letter to the
37½-hour week. 27 9 editor: ‘I notice in the last number
26 10
25 11
of the Journal, under the heading
It gains attention for instance 24 12 of matters still under consideration
whenever comparisons are made 23 13
22 14 on the subject of Overtime that the
about progressive European nations 21
20 19 18 17 16
15
Commissioner is considering the
that are continuing to reduce or
payment of overtime on special work
trying to reduce hours of work.
some local government workers were performed in excess of 44 hours per
And yet a little research shows that working 37½ or 38 hours a week by week.
this is one of those areas where New the late 1930s.
It goes on: Do the members of the
Zealand was once a trail blazer.
A little further on from then detailed clerical division note what this
So far as an 8 hour day goes it appears minutes of a meeting between means? At present the hours are,
we could claim to have been in the the PSA and the Public Service say, from 9 a.m. to 1, and 2 to 5 p.m.
vanguard at least three times: Commission, as reported in our union seven hours five days per week, and
journal of 1940, includes a comment from 9 a.m. to 12 noon three hours on
• an 8-hour-day movement
from the Commission that ‘You have Saturday, a total of 38 hours per week.
traceable to Wellington in 1840
to remember that forty hours is the
This means that the Commissioner
• an approximate statutory 8-hour nominal amount per week. It is a
day in 1901 with the enactment expects us to work an extra hour a
privilege that we only work 37½.’
of our first Factories Act day or six hours per week before we
Delving further back in time reveals are entitled to overtime.’
• the 40-hour week introduced by
the Savage government on the the PSA was working hard in 1921 to
Such indignation, timelessly
basis of the 1936 amendment to secure overtime payment for hours
expressed!
the Industrial Conciliation and worked after 38 hours. Our argument
Arbitration Act was based on the fact that some As with so much to do with historical
officers worked 38 hours in their searches there are many other
So what about the 37.5 hour week? own department and then went to directions this can take, and other
work at the overtime rate in another
Using the PSA journal as a source clues that point to the origins of a 38-
department. If they worked the extra
throws up interesting historic hour week dating as far back as the
hours in their own department they
markers, like central government era of the Liberal Governments from
were not paid overtime until they had
clerical workers moving from a 38- 1890 and 1912. Given the access we
completed 44 hours.
hour six-day week to a 37-hour 55 all now have to a searchable online
minute five-day week in November The Public Service Commission archive of past PSA journals at
1936. Old Department of Labour indicated in this discussion http://psa.recollect.co.nz/ there are
books of industrial awards show that that working overtime in other many more searches to be done!
22 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018You can also read
