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Working Life - Stand up for library workers Working for free PSA pay survey New Holiday Homes
Working Life
  THE PSA JOURNAL DECEMBER 2019

                              Stand up for
                           library workers
                           Working for free
                           PSA pay survey
                           New Holiday Homes
Working Life - Stand up for library workers Working for free PSA pay survey New Holiday Homes
Get more                                                                                          contents
Get more
value from
                                                                                                           4 President’s Message

value from
                                                            Working Life                                5 Obituary: Lynn Middleton
                                                           Te Mahinga Ora
your PSA
                                                                                                             6-7 News in Brief
                                                                  THE PSA JOURNAL

your PSA
                                                                                                                8 Equal Pay
                                                           Working Life is published quarterly.
                                                                                                  9 Stand Up for Library Workers Campaign

membership.
                                                            Views and opinions expressed in
                                                            Working Life do not necessarily
                                                                                                          10 Mana Wahine Claim

membership.
                                                                 represent PSA policy.
                                                                   Editor: Jo O'Brien                        11 PSA Pay Survey
                                                             Design & layout: Dan Phillips.
                                                               Contributors: Kerry Davies,
                                                                                                    12 PM’s address to CTU Conference
                                                           Alastair Reith, Bronte Ammundsen,
                                                              Kirsten Windelov, Nia Bartley,
                                                                                                          13 Fair Pay Agreements
                                                            Tania Siwatibau, Andrea Fromm,
                                                                      Caleb Gordon
                                                                                                      14-15 Public Service Day Awards
                                                             Printing: Webstar, Masterton.                 16-17 Holiday Homes
Your union exists to work on your behalf, with all              PSA Executive Board
PSA members eligible for additional benefits – through        Janet Quigley (president),
                                                                                                           18 Local Government
Your union exists to work on your behalf, with all           Kathy Higgins, Kelly Cotter,
‘member-only’ schemes that offer services and value
PSA members eligible for additional benefits – through           Benedict Ferguson,
                                                                                                            19 Pasefika Climate
beyond what the for-profit market will provide.            Marshall Tangaroa, Lesley Dixon,
‘member-only’ schemes that offer services and value                                                      20 Sector Hui and Māngai
                                                               Pania Love, Stacey Muir,
beyond  what isthe
One of these       for-profit market
                 HeathCarePlus.      will provide.
                                 Created   by unions       Megan Barry, Erin Polaczuk, Glenn
                                                              Barclay, and Kerry Davies.                      21 Te Ao Māori
for members, it’s a unique type of healthcare that
One of these is HeathCarePlus. Created by unions
maximises value for you – not profits. Our day-to-day            PSA contact details                     22 UnionAID Anniversary
for members, it’s a unique type of healthcare that           PSA, PO Box 3817, Wellington.
plans bring genuine benefits through everyday life
maximises value for you – not profits. Our day-to-day
(not just when someone gets ill) and can leave a typical       Freephone 0508 FOR PSA                       23 ILO Anniversary
plans bring genuine benefits through everyday life                  (0508 367 772).
family better off by hundreds of dollars every year.
(not just when someone gets ill) and can leave a typical
                                                                                                             24 Health Forums
                                                              Email enquiries@psa.org.nz.
family better off by hundreds of dollars every year.                                              25 Member Profile: Champion Kickboxer
And once you’re a member our value can extend
to your family – and last not just for the rest of your                                              26 Member Profile: GNS Scientist
And once you’re a member our value can extend
PSA membership, but for the rest of your life.
to your family – and last not just for the rest of your                                                      27 Te Reo Column
PSA membership, but for the rest of your life.
                                                                                                       28 School Strike 4 Climate Pics
So find out the difference
                                                                                                          29 Around & About Pics
that a few dollars a week*
So find out the difference
could make for you –                                               On the cover                                 30 Out@psa
that a few dollars a week*
at healthcareplus.org.nz                                    Rachel Raphael, Susan Heron, and
could make for you –                                        Chantalle Smith at the Stand Up for
                                                             Library Workers campaign launch
at  healthcareplus.org.nz
*Terms & Conditions apply

*Terms & Conditions apply                                                                                         www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019   3
Working Life - Stand up for library workers Working for free PSA pay survey New Holiday Homes
President's message                                                                                                     Equal pay

“TELL PEOPLE HOW IT IS
                                                                                                                                       Obituary: Lynn Middleton
                                                                                Let’s hope that by this time next
                                                                                year those dates will be closer to
FOR YOU”
                                                                                Christmas!
Tēnā koutou e te whānau
                                                                                                                                        PSA’s first female national secretary and equal pay leader
In October I was fortunate to                                                   WELL DONE
                                                                                                                      PSA members and staff are                                                                  and Employment Equity
attend the Council of Trade Unions                                              I’d also like to take this
                                                                                                                      deeply saddened by the                                                                     Taskforce.
Conference along with other                                                     opportunity to congratulate our
                                                                                                                      recent and sudden death
members of the PSA delegation.                                                  members and staff who ran in the                                                                                                 Lynn was also a founding
                                                                                                                      on November 13 of former
                                                                                local body and DHB elections in                                                                                                  member of the Public
The address by Prime Minister                                                                                         PSA national secretary
                                                                                October. It takes guts to stand up                                                                                               Service Tripartite Forum,
Jacinda Ardern was a time to take                                                                                     Lynn Middleton.
                                                                                for what you believe in so I salute                                                                                              where she successfully
stock of all the great things that
                                                                                all your efforts.                     Lynn played an important                                                                   advocated for the creation
have been accomplished in the last
                                                                                                                      and significant role in the                                                                of a public service
two years.                                                                      Congratulations also to all our       union movement, working                                                                    superannuation scheme.
These include strengthening union                                               members whose hard work and           for NZEI, NZCTU, PSA and
                                          industry standards through fair pay                                                                                                                                    Lynn was gregarious and
rights, restoring proper breaks for                                             dedication has been recognised in     Education International.
                                          agreements.                                                                                                                                                            fun to work with. She
workers, the raising of the minimum                                             the Public Service Day and Spirit
                                          So let’s be loud and clear that we    of Service Awards in the last few     After leaving her role as                                                                  embraced life and people,
wage, the extension of paid parental
                                          aren’t up for negotiation on this     months.                               women’s officer at the                                                                     putting everyone at ease
leave, and progress on equal pay
                                          important issue!                                                            CTU, Lynn became PSA                                                                       and spreading her warmth
claims.
                                                                                Finally I’d like to thank delegates   national secretary in 1999.                                                                and support.
The Prime Minister’s speech               WORKING FOR FREE                      and staff for the huge year we’ve     She was the first woman to
                                                                                                                                                               key leaders throughout the public                PSA President Janet
along with a recent Facebook post                                               had and the gains we’ve made as a     take on that role.
                                          On November 18 the PSA and other                                                                                     service.                               Quigley remembers Lynn as a
highlighting this Government’s                                                  union which now numbers 75,000
                                          unions marked the date that all New                                         As a member of the newly formed                                                 special person who mentored and
achievements are reflected in the                                               members.                                                                       Lynn was a committed feminist
                                          Zealand women began working for                                             three person PSA Secretariat until                                              paved the way for other women in
positive comments I hear when I                                                                                                                                and promoted the rights of working
                                          free until the end of the year.       I wish you all a safe and happy       2004, Lynn led the union into                                                   the union movement both here and
travel around the country.
                                                                                festive season and hope you get to    a period of strong membership            women throughout her life. She was a   internationally.
                                          I have also been thinking about                                                                                      powerful advocate for equal pay and
So let’s shake off the negativity                                               enjoy a well-deserved break with      growth, growing engagement with
                                          our Pasefika sisters who have been                                                                                                                          We will all miss her dearly.
that’s being spun by some. Let’s                                                your families.                        Government and employers. She            pay equity and represented the PSA
                                          working for free since the end of
celebrate what’s been achieved and                                                                                    formed important relationships with      on the Labour-led Government’s Pay     National Secretary Kerry Davies
                                          September, and our wāhine Māori       Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa
look ahead to what’s still to do.
                                          who have been working for free

                                                                                                                                                        Working for Free
                                          since October 12.                     Janet Quigley – President, PSA
FAIR PAY AGREEMENTS
Top of that to do list are fair pay
                                            Wellington
agreements which would give                 Women's
better pay and protections to some          Network Hub                                                               From November 18 New Zealand             CLOSING THE GAP                        our Mana Wahine treaty claim is
of our most vulnerable workers.             hosts Nia Bartley                                                         women effectively began working for                                             throwing light on the causes of the
                                            (CCDHB),                                                                  free until the end of the year because   The PSA continues to lead the charge
                                                                                                                                                                                                      pay gap and other employment
                                            Chantelle                                                                                                          to reduce that pay imbalance.
In the last month we’ve been                Smith (National                                                           of the 11.9% pay gap between men                                                inequities suffered by wāhine Māori,
rallying members to respond to a            Library), and                                                             and women.                                                                      p.10.
                                            Mari North
                                                                                                                                                               You can read more about our efforts
Government discussion document
                                            (Wellington City                                                          For Pasefika women the statistics are    including the launch of a libraries
on FPAs.                                                                                                                                                                                              And thanks to your massive response
                                            Council) are at                                                                                                    campaign, the DHB Admin workers’
                                                                                                                      even more damning – they’ve been                                                to our first-ever unionwide pay
                                            the forefront of
I’ve been encouraging our lowest            the PSA's fight to                                                        working for free since September 29      select committee appearance and
                                                                                                                                                                                                      survey, we can tell you more about
paid members to tell people how it          make Working For                                                          due to a 25.5% pay gap.                  donation drive, a new claim for
                                            Free dates a thing                                                                                                                                        gender and ethnic pay gaps across
is for you.                                                                                                                                                    public service admin workers,
                                            of the past.                                                              The pay gap is almost as dire for                                               the PSA – and how we plan to use
                                                                                                                                                               and the establishment of regional
We need to stop those employers                                                                                       wāhine Māori – a 22.1% pay gap left                                             the survey results to give you pay
                                                                                                                                                               Women’s Network Hubs on pg. 8-9.
who look to exploit them as                                                                                           them working for free since October                                             transparency through a new online
cheap labour by setting minimum                                                                                       12.                                      Research being undertaken for          pay tool, p.11.

4   www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019                                                                                                                                                www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019    5
Working Life - Stand up for library workers Working for free PSA pay survey New Holiday Homes
In the public service, the PSA is working with a number of
                                                                                                                                MORNING TEA TO TAUTOKO
                                                                                                                                                                                          employers to resolve Holidays Act compliance problems
                                                                                                                                LIVING WAGE

                                   NEWS IN BRIEF
                                                                                                                                                                                          that have left thousands of workers short-changed. The
                                                                                                                                                                                          PSA acknowledges that some agencies have already
                                                                                                                                                                                          rectified the issues, while others are in the process of doing
                                                                                                                                                                                          so.

                                                                                                                                                                                          Contact your PSA delegate if you have questions regarding
       NEW ERA FOR PUBLIC SERVICE                             Many thanks to everyone who shared their views and                                                                          possible underpayment of your holiday pay.
                                                              congratulations to the two winners of the supermarket
       The PSA supports a bill to reform the public           vouchers!
service which was introduced into Parliament in                                                                                                                                                  NEW SCIENCE COMMITTEE
                                                                                                                                                                                                 LEADERS
November.                                                            NIWA INDUSTRIAL ACTION
                                                                                                                                                                                          The PSA’s National Science Committee has recently
We welcome the clarification the bill provides about
                                                                                                                                                                                          elected Grant Rennie from AgResearch as the new
the role of the public service in relation to the Treaty of
                                                                                                                                                                                          convenor and Delia Tamsen from GNS Science as deputy
Waitangi.
                                                                                                                         PSA Department of Internal Affairs members at the                convenor.
We strongly endorse its affirmation that public servants                                                                 National Library and Ngā Taonga in Wellington held a
                                                                                                                         morning tea during Living Wage Week in November to               Grant replaces past President Paula Scholes, while Delia
have the same rights as other citizens.
                                                                                                                         show their solidarity for the cleaners and security guards       replaces Mark Andersen.
We are also keen that the new legislation includes a                                                                     there who are E tū members.                                      While they’re big shoes to fill, Grant and Delia are up
commitment to meeting the Gender Pay Principles,
                                                                                                                         PSA National Library delegate Chantalle Smith said the           for the challenge and bring fresh perspective to the
which provide a framework for eliminating gender
                                                                                                                         security staff and cleaners are their whānau.                    Committee.
pay gaps and other gender-based inequalities in the
workplace.
                                                                                                                         “We don’t think it is right that they are paid so little. They          JUSTICE REFORMS
The PSA will continue working with Government around                                                                     work hard and do long hours, and yet they still struggle.
details such as the mobility of public servants between                                                                  We will support these workers until they are paid fairly.”
departments, in the hope the new legislation will
                                                                                                                         DIA has now approved the Living Wage for its workers. It’s
improve productivity and working conditions.
                                                                                                                         hoped this could assist the campaign for the Living Wage
We encourage members to make submissions on the               Hundreds of NIWA members across the country walked         for the security staff and cleaners.
bill or contribute to the submissions of the PSA and Te       off the job for two hours on November 21, and refused to
                                                                                                                         Other events for Living Wage Week included the Auckland
Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina.                                     submit timesheets for two weeks.
                                                                                                                         opening of the My Life to Live photographic exhibition
                                                              During the strike the workers were out in their            about refugee workers.
       ELECTION 2020: WHAT MATTERS                            communities cleaning up beaches, parks and rivers.
                                                                                                                                                                                          Ministry of Justice national delegates met with Justice
       TO YOU                                                                                                            Living Wage Aotearoa is also celebrating its success in          Minister Andrew Little at PSA House in Wellington in
                                                              PSA members have agreed to a proposed 2% pay               getting many local government election candidates to             October.
A lack of affordable housing, healthcare, pay, work and
                                                              increase, but the PSA believes NIWA's refusal to           commit to extending the Living Wage.
the cost of living, and climate change are concerns that                                                                                                                                  The PSA has also written a letter to the Minister
                                                              settle after 16 months is part of a wider approach to
are likely to be on your minds in election year.                                                                                                                                          outlining members’ views on Hāpaitia te Oranga
                                                              undermine the collective employment agreement and                 HOLIDAYS ACT UNDERPAYMENTS                                Tangata, the proposed reforms to the justice system.
They were the common themes to emerge from a survey           union membership.
of PSA members in October.                                                                                                     The PSA and other unions have agreed a
                                                                                                                         memorandum of understanding with DHBs and the                    These include the need for more support for mental
                                                              NIWA has been refusing to allow overtime
We asked you what you were most concerned about for                                                                      Labour Inspectorate on a national process to identify            health and addiction issues; general support for people
                                                              compensation for working unsociable hours, and some
your families, your workplaces, your communities and                                                                     and rectify non-compliance with the Holidays Act.                before, during and after incarceration; and the need
                                                              members say they feel targeted and discriminated
for New Zealand – and what you think needs to change.                                                                                                                                     to focus on institutional racism, rehabilitation and
                                                              against.
                                                                                                                         In October the Health Minister David Clark said                  prevention.
In every general election we speak up for PSA members         It was the first industrial action taken by workers at a   sampling of payroll records found $550-650 million is
and the public and community services you work in.                                                                       owed to DHB staff due to non-compliance.                         The letter also states that the PSA and Te Rūnanga o Ngā
                                                              Crown Research Institute since they were created in
Your responses to our survey will contribute to our                                                                                                                                       Toa Awhina expect to be actively involved as a partner in
                                                              1992.
campaign planning for Election 2020. We’ll update                                                                        He estimates it will take two years for DHBs to review           the reform process.
members in the New Year on how you can be involved.                                                                      and rectify the historic issue.

6   www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019                                                                                                                                                         www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019   7
Working Life - Stand up for library workers Working for free PSA pay survey New Holiday Homes
Equal pay                                                                                                                  Equal pay

                                                                                                                                                     Stand up for library workers
             Kindly leading the way                                                                                                Local government library assistants launched a campaign on November 22 to
                                                                                                                                          raise awareness of their equal pay claim and the work they do.

                  to Equal Pay                                                                                                  At the launch during the
                                                                                                                                Wellington’s Women's Network
                                                                                                                                Hub event, delegate Chantalle
                                                                                                                                Smith spoke of how research for
    As women began working for free in New Zealand on November 18, the PSA was                                                  their equal pay claim had found the
          working hard on a number of fronts to close the gender pay gap.                                                       skills required to do their job could
                                                                                                                                be broken down into 22 separate
PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN                                                                     It was a reminder to the DHBs          categories.
                                              Equal Pay organiser Jo Taylor, DHB         that admin staff are still fighting
CLAIM                                         admin delegates Nancy McShane and                                                 “They include information
                                              Jennifer Rankin, and support worker Judy   for Equal Pay, and still doing
A letter has gone out to chief                Robb at Health Committee appearance        amazing mahi to help ensure New        technology, emotional, social and
executives in the public service, ACC                                                    Zealanders get the health care they    caring, teaching, local and general
and Kāinga Ora raising an equal pay                                                      need.                                  knowledge, cultural sensitivity, and
claim on behalf of PSA members who                                                                                              health and safety.”
perform clerical and admin, customer                                                     It was also an opportunity to
support, and call centre work in those                                                   turn their organisational skills to    “Everybody loves their
agencies.                                                                                addressing a need in the wider         libraries, but we need to make
                                                                                         community.                             sure the salaries of library
It’s a significant claim which we hope                                                                                                                                                                                   Stand Up for Library Workers campaign
                                                                                                                                workers reflect the work they                                                            committee: Olga Hemmingsen, Jenny
will deliver equal pay to about 10,000
of the lowest paid workers in the
                                                                                         WOMEN EMPOWERING                       do.”                                                                                     Merton, Bronwyn Maxwell, Susan Heron,

public service, along with ACC and                                                       WOMEN                                                                                                                           Chantelle Smith, and Rachel Raphael

Kāinga Ora.                                                                                                                     EQUAL PAY CLAIM
                                                                                         In the same week an event was held
                                                                                         to establish a Wellington Women’s      UPDATE
Their work has historically and is                                                                                                                                       can take to each council to bargain        PHOTOGRAPHIC
                                                                                         Network Hub.                           The campaign launch came as              for its implementation.
currently performed by mainly female                                                                                                                                                                                EVIDENCE
employees – and has historically and                                                                                            action ramps up on the local
                                                                                         It was one of a series of Women’s
continues to be undervalued.                                                                                                    government library assistant’s equal     SPRINGBOARD FOR EQUAL                      As part of efforts to raise
                                                                                         Network meetings taking place                                                                                              awareness of the many different
                                                                                         around the country to set up
                                                                                                                                pay claim.                               PAY
We’re now awaiting a response from                                                                                                                                                                                  responsibilities of library assistants,
employers to the claim.                                                                  regional hubs.                         In May this year the PSA notified the    While this claim is specificly for local   we’re asking members to send in
                                                                                                                                six large urban councils – Auckland,     government library assistants the PSA      photos of the mahi they do.
                                                                                         The hubs will be led by members to
HEALTH COMMITTEE                           “We celebrate the select committee                                                   Tauranga, Hamilton, Wellington,          also believes all local government
                                                                                         increase regional activity on issues                                                                                       So far the photos sent in show
APPEARANCE                                 appearance, which was a result of
                                                                                         affecting women such as equal pay.     Christchurch and Dunedin – that
                                                                                                                                                                         workers in female dominated
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    library workers doing everything
                                           the 12,800 signatures we collected                                                                                            occupations may suffer gender-based
DHB Admin delegate Nancy McShane                                                                                                we believe local government library                                                 from organising kids and teens
                                           for our DHB admin petition,” says                                                                                             pay discrimination.
spoke to a submission on their equal                                                     They will offer an opportunity for     assistants suffer from illegal gender-                                              holiday programmes, book
pay claim before the Health Select         PSA equal pay campaign organiser              members to take on leadership          based pay discrimination.                The claim could also provide a             groups, supporting adult literacy
Committee, in the same week that           Jo Taylor.                                    roles, and grow their confidence                                                platform to achieve equal pay for          and numeracy programmes and
women began working for free.                                                            and skills.                            A bargaining committee has now           library workers in other sectors           heritage festival events, to running
                                           DHB DONATION DRIVE                                                                   met with council representatives         including the public service.              workshops on what to do with your
The submission urged that pay                                                            Earlier hub meetings were held         and is working on Terms of                                                          DNA results.
increases for DHB admin workers            DHB admin workers also brought                in Christchurch and Nelson in                                                   Our aim is to use equal pay
                                                                                                                                Reference for the claim.
be funded to recognise the historic        kindness to the equal pay fight by            October, while future events are                                                settlements in one occupation or           Some of the photos will be posted
undervaluation of their skill and          organising donations for local food           being planned for Dunedin and          The aim is to agree on an equal pay      sector to achieve equal pay across our     on the library workers campaign
expertise.                                 banks in the lead-up to Christmas.            Auckland.                              rate for library assistants that we      membership.                                page: psa.org.nz/libraries

8    www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019                                                                                                                                                             www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019         9
Working Life - Stand up for library workers Working for free PSA pay survey New Holiday Homes
Mana Wahine                                                                                                                                        Pay survey

     ‘Our passion is perceived as a threat’                                                                                                       Stark statistics help fight for equal pay
                           Mana Wahine claim gathers powerful evidence
                                                                                                                                                             and transparency
                                                                                                                                          More than a third of PSA members          PSA FEE STRUCTURE                                             you know more about that once the
A survey of wāhine Māori in the                                                                                                           or 27,291 of you shared your pay                                                                        analysis is complete.
PSA has drawn a fantastic response                                                                                                        information with us in our first union-   We are also using the survey results
- with more than 900 members                                                                                                              wide pay survey in September.             to model changes to the PSA fee                               Thanks to everyone who took the time
taking the time to tell us about their                                                                                                                                              structure to make it fairer. We’ll let                        to complete the survey!
employment experiences.                                                                                                                   Your salaries generally reflect the
                                                                                                                                          gender and ethnic pay gaps seen in                                              Graph 1: FTE Salary by Ethnicity and Gender
The survey was held to help gather                                                                                                        the wider workforce with Pākeha men
evidence for Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa                                                                                                         well out in front of other groups. (See
Āwhina’s Mana Wahine Waitangi                                                                                                             graph 1)                                   Pacific Peoples Female
Tribunal claim, which challenges
treaty breaches that have led to                                                                                                          We are starting to analyse the results
employment inequities for wāhine.                                                                                                         by occupation to support our work to                     Māori Female
                                                                                                                                          achieve equal pay.
A clear result emerging from the
survey is the high percentage                                                                                                             ONLINE PAY                                   Pacific Peoples Male
of respondents who reported
                                         Mana Wahine claim rōpū: Marcia Puru, Dolly Larkins, Helen Panoho, Sue O’Shea, Tania Te Whenua,
                                                                                                                                          TRANSPARENCY TOOL
experiencing bias, racism and
                                         Marshall Tangaroa, claimants Paula Davis and Georgina Kerr, and Leslie Dixon. (Absent claimant   The PSA policy team plans to use the                    Pākehā Female
discrimination at work.                  Llani Harding)
                                                                                                                                          data to create a new online pay tool
We’ll have more survey findings                                                                                                           which should be available for use by
                                         They said systemic bias, racism                  While New Zealand women                                                                                   Māori Male
once our analysis is complete.                                                                                                            members only from early next year.
                                         and bullying continued into the                  effectively began working for free
About nine members have stated           workplace.                                       on November 18 due to a 11.9% pay               The tool is an important development
they’d like to present their story to                                                     gap with men, wāhine Māori have                 as it will help give members                             Pākehā Male
                                         Others spoke of being labelled too               been working for free since October
the Waitangi Tribunal, while 75 are                                                                                                       transparency around pay rates in their
                                         confrontational, strong, difficult,              12 due to a 22.1% pay gap.
interested in becoming Kaikōkiri                                                                                                          profession, national secretary Glenn
                                         assertive or aggressive in the

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                                         workplace. One wahine said her                   Our own PSA Pay Survey also

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     $1
almost 200 are willing to be             ‘passion is often perceived as a                 reflects the gender and ethnic pay              “Without pay transparency people
contacted about their responses.         threat’.                                         gaps in the wider workforce. (see               negotiating their pay are on an uneven                          Graph 2: FTE Salary distribution sample respondents
                                                                                          next page)                                      footing with their employer. It allows
The claimants would like to thank        PSA Kaiwhakarite Māori Marcia                                                                                                                            3000
all those who participated in the                                                                                                         pay inequities to continue and grow.
                                         Puru says the kōrero was often                   “The numbers remain terrible for
survey.                                  “emotional” but the strength of the              Māori and Pasefika women,” says                                                                         2500                         Median
                                                                                                                                          “There is very little transparency in
                                         wāhine in overcoming barriers also               PSA organiser Dolly Larkins.                    New Zealand around rates of pay
KŌRERO AT HUI                            shone through.                                                                                   for different occupations. We aim to                    2000
                                                                                          “We need to get some hits on the

                                                                                                                                                                                      Responses
Heartfelt kōrero from wāhine                                                                                                              use the survey to make this kind of
                                         The kōrero from the hui will provide             board. Let’s hope this claim helps us
Māori about the injustices they’ve                                                                                                        information available to you in an                      1500
                                         further evidence for our Treaty                  to do that.”
experienced were also heard during                                                                                                        ongoing way.”
                                         claim.
this year’s sector hui.                                                                   The claimants expect to hear more                                                                       1000

                                         SHOCKING STATISTICS                              about a hearing date in April.                  AVERAGE SALARY
Wāhine at the hui spoke of how the                                                                                                                                                                 500
education system had failed them                                                          They’re moving into full campaign               Initial analysis of the data shows the
                                         As work progresses on the claim,
through bias, segregation, a lack                                                         mode with the development of                    average full-time equivalent salary for
                                         new statistics are emerging about                                                                                                                           0
                                                                                          branding, and plans to hold a stall             PSA members is $66,482, while the                              $0          $50,000      $100,000        $150,000     $200,000      $250,000     $300,000
of Te Ao Māori in schools and of         the persistence of the pay gap for
                                                                                          at Waitangi in February.                        median is $61,000. (See graph 2)
encouragement to achieve.                wāhine Māori.                                                                                                                                                                                       Annual FTE Salary

10 www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019                                                                                                                                                                                          www.psa.org.nz       Working Life December 2019 11
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Industrial relations                                                                                                      Industrial relations

                                                                                                                          Fair Pay Agreements will give workers a fairer deal
                                                                                                                          The PSA and other unions believe
                                                                                                                          Fair Pay Agreements will offer a
                                                                                                                          fairer deal for many of this country’s
                                                                                                                          most vulnerable workers.

                                                                                                                          That’s why we’ve made a
                                                                                                                          submission on the Government’s
                                                                                                                          new discussion document on
                                                                                                                          FPAs and have been encouraging
                                                                                                                          members to make sure their voices
                                                                                                                          are heard.

                                                                                                                          This Government has stated its

 “We are delivering, but we have so much
                                                                                                                          commitment to improving the well-
                                                                                                                          being of all New Zealanders.

             more to deliver”
                                                                                                                          Economic studies commissioned by          PSA delegation at CTU conference

                                                                                                                          the Council of Trade Unions have
                                                                                                                          found a return to sector bargaining      develop co-ordinated industry-wide         company, makes it harder than it
                                                                                                                          in the form of FPAs is the most          strategies for training and workforce      should be to protect the pay and
   The CTU Biennial conference in October was an opportunity to reflect on the                                            effective thing it could do to achieve   development.                               conditions of workers.
significant gains made for working people during the Government’s first two years                                         that.
                                                                                                                                                                                                              Fair Pay Agreements will ensure no
                    in power - and to challenge it to go further.                                                                                                  NO MORE RACE TO THE                        worker is left behind.
                                                                                                                          WHAT ARE FAIR PAY                        BOTTOM
In her speech to the conference,         leave to six months, and introducing    health and addiction workers.            AGREEMENTS?                              Currently low wages and insecure           HOW WILL THIS
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke      domestic violence leave to support                                               Currently too many New Zealanders        conditions are the norm for                AFFECT PUBLIC SERVICE
of her Government’s achievements.        those escaping it.                      MORE TO DELIVER                          endure poor working conditions           cleaners, security guards and              WORKERS?
They include the lowest rate of          She said the Government had             The Prime Minister acknowledged          in jobs that don’t pay enough and        supermarket workers, so these are
                                                                                                                          offer few opportunities for career                                                  The first areas where FPAs will be
unemployment in 11 years and the         made changes to the Employment          the frustration of those who believe                                              the first groups proposed to be
                                                                                                                          progression.                                                                        trialled are in the private sector, but
creation of 92,000 new jobs.             Relations Act to “give voice to the     the Government should be doing                                                    covered by FPAs.
                                                                                                                                                                                                              the introduction of these laws will
                                         greatest asset we have, our workforce   more, faster.                            FPAs will set minimum employment                                                    benefit all workers.
In April this year a $1.20 increase                                                                                                                                Some of these workers have
                                         and our people”. The changes make                                                standards that will apply to all
to the minimum wage put the                                                      She said work is continuing to update                                             organised to win improved pay
                                         it easier for workers to know about                                              workers in an industry.                                                             FPAs are proposed to apply to
Government on track to meet its goal                                             pay equity legislation and to progress                                            and conditions, but the companies
                                         and join their union, and strengthen                                                                                                                                 contractors as well as permanent
of lifting the minimum to $20 an         collective bargaining and union         equal pay claims, and that Fair Pay      Early in January a working group led     they work for must then compete            employees.
hour by 2021.                            rights.                                 Agreements are “part of the longer       by former Prime Minister Jim Bolger      for contracts with non-unionised
                                                                                 term solution for those ... in the low   recommended that bargaining for          companies.                                 In many government departments,
“With more jobs and better wages         Other gains include the largest pay     wage economy”.                                                                                                               there is a second-tier workforce
                                                                                                                          FPAs should begin when called for        By establishing consistent
we’re seeing real improvement in         increases in a decade for nurses                                                 by either 1000 workers or 10% of                                                    made up of contractors and workers
New Zealanders’ wallets,” the Prime      and teachers, along with significant    But she said challenges caused by                                                 standards for pay, breaks, hours and       from labour-hire companies.
                                                                                                                          workers in an industry.
Minister said.                           investment in the mental health         years of neglect under National                                                   safety practices, FPAs will prevent
                                         workforce.                              require more than a quick fix.           Employers, government and                unscrupulous employers from                It is a priority of our union to end
                                                                                                                                                                                                              this situation. Everyone deserves
WORKERS’ RIGHTS                                                                  “We need to stay in Government
                                                                                                                          unions would then negotiate terms        undercutting employers that treat
                                         On the equal pay front a claim for                                               covering every workplace within          workers better.                            equal pay for equal work, and public
Jacinda Ardern also highlighted          Oranga Tamariki social workers has      long enough to ensure these policies                                                                                         sector employers have for too long
                                                                                                                          that industry, regardless of whether
measures including restoring the         seen them gain pay increases of up      stick and prove their worth... We are                                             Unions have limited resources, and         used contractors and temping
                                                                                                                          workers are union members or not.
right to reasonable meal and rest        to 30%, while the care and support      delivering, but we have so much                                                   having to fight the same battles           agencies to try and undermine our
breaks, extending paid parental          settlement was extended to mental       more to deliver.”                        They would also work together to         over and over again, company by            collective agreements.

12 www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019                                                                                                                                                         www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019 13
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Public Service                                                                                                             Public Service

                                                                                                                          young people so she can find the           the Manukau District Court.               have to be flexible and adaptable
                                                                                                                          right employment opportunities                                                       and rely on their local networks and
                                                                                                                          for them. She got a young man              The service helps people affected by      relationships to get things done.
                                                                                                                          who was headed for prison onto a           family violence to get the support
                                                                                                                          course and supported him through           they need.                                MSD assistant service centre
                                                                                                                          to graduation, so he now has very                                                    manager Firoza Shaikh
                                                                                                                                                                     With six decades of frontline service
                                                                                                                          different prospects.                       between them, Jacqui and Tiana (who                            Earlier this year
                                                                                                                          Brittnee builds relationships with         is not a PSA member) bring strong                              Firoza supported
                                                                                                                          employers, encouraging them to give        cultural understanding to their work                           the Muslim
                                                                                                                          young people a chance. She’s helped        with Tangata Whenua and Tangata                                community in
                                                                                                                          place them in the Police, Defence,         Pacifica.                                                      Christchurch and
                                                                                                                          hospitals, hotels, call centres,                                                                          her colleagues in
                                                                                                                                                                     They also provide a weekly clinic                              the wake of the
                                                                                                                          construction, security and traffic         servicing the New Zealand Prostitute

   Honours for workers on frontline
                                                                                                                          management roles.                                                                    terror attacks.
                                                                                                                                                                     Collective, working with transgender,
                                                                                                                          Inland Revenue customer                    takatapui and sex workers.                Her compassion and empathy
                                                                                                                          compliance specialist Rochelle                                                       enabled her team to work in different
                                                                                                                                                                     The pair help Auckland’s most             ways to make sure the people of
                                                                                                                          Bouterey
              PSA members were to the fore as the Public Service Day awards                                                                                          vulnerable people to navigate the         Christchurch got the support they
                                                                                                                                                                     social support system in a way that
                           were announced in November.                                                                                           Rochelle is
                                                                                                                                                                     takes away fear and uncertainty.
                                                                                                                                                                                                               needed.
                                                                                                                                                 committed to
The inaugural Public Service Day
– Te Rā Kāwanatanga was held last
                                          reputation for exceptional customer
                                          service, and has brought experience
                                                                                 During 19 years of public service, she
                                                                                 has shown the ability to earn trust
                                                                                                                                                 ensuring New
                                                                                                                                                 Zealanders have
                                                                                                                                                                     Corrections probation officers                       These
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  women bring
                                                                                                                                                                     Georgina Delamere and Penni Gray
year so this is the second year the       and expertise to a range of national   and respect and to build enduring                               trust and
awards have been handed out.              projects.                              relationships with communities.                                 confidence in our

We’re proud of all our members            Her spirit of service extends well     She’s passionate about her work,
                                                                                                                          tax system, and works to ensure it is
                                                                                                                          fair, efficient, and effective.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     the values
who received Public Service Medals
or State Services Commissioner’s
                                          beyond the workplace.                  in particular, supporting the
                                                                                 development of young Pacific             Her investigation into suspected                                                           of kaitiaki,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       manaaki,
Commendations for Frontline               Maree helped bring an educational      leaders. She is known for creating       multi-million dollar income
Excellence.                               initiative for young people and        a safe space for Pacific voices to be    suppression by a restaurant chain

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      rangatira,
                                          repeat offenders with serious          nurtured and heard.                      led to one of the most significant
“It’s well-earned recognition of the      driving offences to Southland. Her                                              prosecution cases undertaken by IR         Georgie and Penni are helping create
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   wairua, and
amazing mahi they do to improve the       commitment extended to working
                                                                                 FRONTLINE EXCELLENCE                     in the past decade.                        safer communities on the isolated
lives of their fellow New Zealanders,”    evenings and weekends with
                                                                                 COMMENDATION                                                                        East Coast, which has historically
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     whānau to
says PSA national secretary Glenn         offenders to make a positive impact                                             Rochelle displays the highest
Barclay.                                  in their lives.                        RECIPIENTS                               standards of integrity, and inspires       been difficult for the Department of
                                                                                                                                                                     Corrections to service.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 their everyday
                                                                                 MSD national limited service             everyone she works with.
                                          Ministry for Pacific Peoples
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL                                                             volunteer coordinator Brittnee                                                      Each week they travel 240 kilometres
                                          southern regional partnerships                                                  MSD case managers Jacqui Karena
RECIPIENTS
Ministry of Justice court services
                                          director Diane Fenika
                                                                                 O’Brien                                  and Tiana Timoteo                          from Ōpōtiki to Potaka and back,
                                                                                                                                                                     working with communities, whānau                  practice.”
                                                                                                     Each year Britnee                                               and external stakeholders to develop
                                                            Diane works
manager Maree Hayes                                                                                  helps 400 young
                                                            tirelessly to                                                                                            a “korowai o manaaki” (wrap around        Firoza has now returned to her role
                                                                                                     people through                                                  support) to people in predominantly       in Auckland, where she continues to
                     For 43 years,                          ensure the
                                                                                                     the Limited                                                     small Māori communities.                  support the victims and families who
                     Maree has been                         perspectives of
                                                                                                     Service Volunteer                                                                                         have moved up there.
                     putting people                         South Island
                                                                                                     course, which                                                   These women bring the values of
                     first.                                 Pacific
                                                                                 builds their confidence and              Jacqui and Tiana manage                    kaitiaki, manaaki, rangatira, wairua,     Her exceptional service in
                                                            communities are
                     As an Invercargill                                          motivation as they enter the             the Community Link in Courts               and whānau to their everyday              extraordinary circumstances has
                                                            reflected in the
                     courts employee,                                            workforce or training.                   service at the Auckland District Court     practice.                                 made a genuine positive difference in
                                          design and implementation of
                     she has a                                                                                            and helped establish the service at                                                  the victims’ lives.
                                          programmes affecting Pacific people.   She works to get to know the                                                        Often working in isolation, they

14 www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019                                                                                                                                                          www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019 15
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happyholidays
                                                        PSA Plus                                                                                                                PSA Plus

                                                                                                                                                                            Mangawhai Heads,
                                                                                                                                                                                  Northland
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Whitianga,
                                                                                                                                                                                              CBD,                     Coromandel
   As our thoughts turn to sand, sea and summer holidays some members will be                                                                                                              Auckland
           looking forward to a welcome break at our PSA holiday homes.
This summer we’re pleased to be able to offer two new accommodation options in
                      Whitianga and Mangawhai Heads.

 WHITIANGA                                                                                                                                                                                                          Rotorua,
 Our new Whitianga holiday
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Bay of Plenty
 apartments were already booked up
 for months by time they opened on
 Labour Weekend following an official                                                                                                                                                                      Ohakune,
 blessing from Rūnanga Kaumātua                                                                                                                                                                            Central Plateau
 Kiwhare Mihaka.
                                                                                                                              HOT DEMAND
 Visitors to the two new 2-bedroom
 units at the Marina Park apartments                                                                                          Our 44 holiday homes and apartments
 can enjoy facilities including a heated                                                                                      in ten locations are running at 80%
 outdoor swimming pool, spa and                                                                                               occupancy rates with members crying
 gym.                                                                                                                         out for more.                                                     Raumati Beach,
                                                                                                                                                                                                Kapiti Coast
 The apartments are conveniently                                                                                              We receive a lot of positive feedback                 Stoke,
 located close to the town centre                                                                                             from members, who often find them                     Nelson
 and can be a hub to explore the                                                                                              value for money compared to motels
                                                                                                                                                                      Carters Beach,                                      HOLIDAY SNAP
                                                                                                                              and hotels.
 stunning beaches, hot pools, arts and                                                                                                                                West Coast                                          COMPETITION
 culinary delights of the Coromandel       With                                                                               While our rates currently range from
                                                                                     Currently                                                                                                        Every year members make magic memories
 Peninsula.                                a surf beach and a safe estuary for                                                an affordable $58-155 a night, there
                                                                                     we keep rates low for members by                                                                                     at our holiday homes and we’re keen to
                                           swimming, scenic coastal and bush                                                  will be small rate increases of about                                           share that with you in Working Life.
 MANGAWHAI HEADS                           walks, a thriving artistic community
                                                                                     asking you to bring your own linen
                                                                                                                              $6 a night in most locations from
                                                                                     and clean the units at most locations                                                                             So if you take a memorable snap at one of
 A brand new 3-bedroom home in             and a host of other activities,                                                    April next year.
                                                                                     before departure. But over the years                                                                                 our homes this summer send it to us at
 Mangawhai Heads is opening in mid-        Mangawhai offers something for
                                                                                     we’ve found more members are not                                                                                     plus@psa.org.nz with your name and
 December. Featuring a large open plan     everybody.                                complying with this requirement.                                                                                        holiday home you stayed at and go in
 kitchen/dining/lounge area, a family
                                                                                                                                                                                                        the draw to win a Logitech Ultimate Ears
 bathroom and luxury ensuite, a games      HOLIDAY HOME SURVEY                       So earlier this year we conducted                                          Otematata,                             Megaboom 3 valued at over $300. Entries
 room, lots of large windows, and front
                                           The PSA holiday homes are member-
                                                                                     a survey to find out how you’d like                                        North Otago                                                close 1 February 2020.
 and back decks – its truly set up for                                               them maintained.
 the whole family all year round.          owned and managed by us on your                                                               Lake Te Anau,                                                   With our homes all snapped up for the
                                           behalf.                                   The results indicate many members                   Fiordland                                                 summer period in our annual ballot all that’s
 Just under 100 kms from Auckland’s                                                  would like to have the option of
                                                                                                                                                                                                  left to do is to wish you all a Merry Xmas and
 CBD, this spectacular spot is a world     As such it’s the responsibility of each   hiring linen and paying for a cleaning
                                                                                                                                                                                                            a fantastic and well-earned holiday!
 away from the hustle and bustle of the    member who stays at a home to look        service, so we are endeavouring to
 city.                                     after it for those who come after.        make that happen.                                                                                                                     Nā the PSA Plus team

16 www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019                                                                                                                                                   www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019 17
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Local government                                                                                                                             Pasefika

                    PSAY Hui Inspires Success                                                                                              “We must change our practices of
 Inspirational speeches at this year’s PSA Youth Hui have propelled Elvisa Van Der                                                             ignorance and neglect”
                      Leden into a seat at the council table.
                                                                                                                                     The PSA proudly supported the School Strike for Climate in September. For some
After joining the PSA earlier                                                                   educator, and the Living              of our Pasefika members the effects of climate change are already hitting home.
this year, the DOC worker                                                                       Wage for council contractors.
decided to attend the PSAY                                                                                                                       They tell us why they took part in the rally on Parliament.
Hui in August.                                                                                  CONGRATULATIONS
                                                                                                                                    A SOUTH PACIFIC
“I went along just to learn                                                                     The PSA congratulates Elvisa
                                                                                                and other PSA members who           ISLANDER’S PERSPECTIVE
but I was really inspired by
everybody who was there,”                                                                       stood in local government           Tania Siwatibau – Ministry of Health
Elvisa says.                                                                                    and DHB elections in                delegate, Pasefika Network Eco Rep
                                                                                                October.                                                                                           PSA members Darren
                                                                                                                                    Most of my younger years were spent                            Bleyenga, Nia Bartley,
Speakers including Green MP                                                                                                                                                                        and Tania Siwatibau
Chlöe Swarbrick made a big                                                                           Other successes include the    growing up in and visiting South
                                                                                                     return to Wellington City      Pacific islands.
impression on the 28 year-
                                                                                                     Council of PSA lawyer Fleur
old.                                  PSA member and councillor Elvisa Van Der Leden with Green      Fitzsimons, the election of    I was born in Fiji, lived in Vanuatu
                                      Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick
“Just going for it. Normalising                                                                      PSA member Nicole Marshall     and visited Solomon Islands and New
young people standing for                    time round was humbling.”                               to Environment Canterbury,     Caledonia. These islands will always
office was a big theme that I took                                                           and members Andrew Shaw and            have a special place in my heart, so it
from it.”                                    She says she always got a laugh at              Cindy Schmidt to the Kaipātiki Local   is sad to see the plight they face as a
                                             election forums when she described              Board, Auckland Council. Former        result of climate change, particularly
So much so she threw her hat in              herself as a half-Filipino half-Irish           PSA member Zoe Brownlie was            Fiji and Solomon Islands.
the ring for a seat on the Taranaki          woman married to a Dutch-Māori,                 re-elected to the Auckland District
Regional Council – and just a few            but now she believes she brings a                                                      With rising sea levels and
                                                                                             Health Board.                                                                    Pasefika marchers
months later was sworn into office.          fresh perspective to the council.                                                      temperatures, comes the
                                                                                             We also thank candidates for           disappearance of settlements in low       are made to be more dependent on                     Tuvalu and Uvea. For decades our
Elvisa says it took a while for the          She hopes to promote the use of                 promoting issues like the Living       lying coastal areas as well as more       others.                                              people have stated global warming
significance of her victory to sink in.      social media to educate her peers,              Wage, equal pay, and better public     frequent devastating tropical storms.                                                          was an issue. Dismissed and ignored
“Especially for a young, multi-ethnic        marine issues which are close to her            and health services during the         Being displaced from coastal areas        HOPE FOR MY ANCESTRAL                                by big corporations and bigger
woman to get into that position first        heart as a part-time environmental              campaign.                              means a loss of livelihood as many        LANDS                                                nations that thought it was all hype.
                                                                                                                                    rely on fishing for earnings and
                                                                                                                                                                              Nia Bartley, Capital & Coast DHB                     Now people are waking up to the sad
       Tauranga council members strike to resolve pay dispute
                                                                                                                                    sustenance. It also means they lose
                                                                                                                                                                              delegate, Women's Network Eco                        reality that the world as we knew it is
                                                                                                                                    the land they own. No food, no money,
                                                                                                                                                                              Rep                                                  changing and has changed. Sea life
                                                                                                                                    no land.
Strike action at Tauranga City             As Working Life went to print               “It was after the industrial action                                                                                                         is dying because the waters are too
                                                                                                                                                                              Being a born and bred Kiwi, heading                  warm.
Council in October may have                members were considering an                 that the employer realised how               More storms cause more frequent
                                                                                                                                                                              to the beach during summer was the
helped bring resolution closer to          improved offer from their employer.         serious we were about getting it             damage to livelihoods, homes and
                                                                                                                                                                              norm. The beautiful and glistening                   Many peoples will be displaced
a dispute over the council’s salary                                                    sorted,” he says.                            infrastructure. How many times can a
                                                                                                                                                                              moana beckoning us to enjoy                          because their homes, their land, their
system.                                    Delegate Peter Mora says so far there                                                    person bounce back if they don’t have
                                                                                                                                                                              the soothing, salty water, with its                  fenua if not already, will disappear.
                                           has been a “positive response” from                                                      resources and money to recover each
                                                                                                                                                                              provisions of kaimoana a bonus.                      Pacific cultures and their beautiful
PSA members at the council went            members overall to the offer which                                                       time?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   way of life changed forever.
on strike for two hours on October         came after mediation with MBIE.                                                          Climate change is very real, current      The reality is this very sea water,
24 in frustration over a system that                                                                                                and damaging to Pacific Islanders.        because of the climate change crisis,                Collectively, we must change our
leaves some languishing on pay up          But he says they still need to work                                                      It will leave them with no home, no       has caused havoc to the islands of                   practices of ignorance and neglect
to 10 percent less than the median         through the implications for all 120                                                     earnings, and loss of identity, self-     my ancestors throughout the Pacific                  and save our planet before it is too
rate for years.                            members.                                                                                 determination and self-esteem as they     especially low-lying islands Tokelau,                late.

18 www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019                                                                                                                                                                              www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019 19
Te Rūnanga                                                                                                                   Te Ao Māori

                                                                                                                                   Reducing Māori Health Inequities
                                                                                                                        Appearing before the Māori                                                                            service reforms to provide
                                                                                                                        Affairs Select Committee             PSA policy advisor Andrea Fromm, Allan Franks, Te Rūnanga
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              better strategies.
                                                                                                                                                             Kuia Georgina Kerr and Kaumātua Kiwhare Mihaka
                                                                                                                        to speak to the Inquiry into
                                                                                                                        Health Inequities for Māori                                                                           These include the rollout
                                                                                                                        was “awe-inspiring” for                                                                               into workplaces of ‘Ngā
                                                                                                                        Allan Franks.                                                                                         Kaupapa i Tuku Ihoa’, Te
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Rūnanga O Ngā Toa Āwhina’s
                                                                                                                        The convenor of Te Tira                                                                               best practice framework for
                                                                                                                        Hauora Kōmiti, a committee                                                                            Tikanga Māori behaviours.
                                                                                                                        of Māori delegates across                                                                             “We believe this will help
                                                                                                                        the DHB sector, presented
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              reduce inequities and
                                                                                                                        their submission to the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              improve outcomes for
                                                                                                                        inquiry in November.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              whānau,” says Allan.
                                                                                                                                                                    “They include institutional racism
                                                                                                                        “It was an honour to present
                                                                                                                                                                    in our workplaces, the effects of                The submission also calls for better
                                                                                                                        the submission on behalf of our
                                                                                                                                                                    colonisation, the lack of resources,             visibility of Te Tirīti o Waitangi, ring-
                                                                                                                        members, the delegates who
                                                                                                                        attended PSA’s Hui Hauora at                poor recruitment of Maori staff,                 fencing funding for Māori health,

                        “It opens their eyes”:
                                                                                                                        Orongomai Marae in September, and           poor support for Kaupapa Maori,                  robust management of institutional
                                                                                                                        especially our whānau maha who              and the failure to value matauranga              racism, and consideration
                                                                                                                        quantify the inequities. Their kōrero       Māori,” Allan says.                              being given to making cultural

                    Sector Māngai elected at Hui                                                                        at the hui formed the basis for our
                                                                                                                        submission,” Allan says.                    A VOICE FOR KAIMAHI
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     competencies mandatory.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     As a result of the submission a
                                                                                                                        The submission acknowledges                 The submission calls for the PSA                 meeting is being organised between
There’s a mix of old and new             on everything from public service       Allan Franks, Virgil Iraia, Lesley     factors contributing to the                 and Te Tira Hauora Kōmiti to be                  a delegation from Te Rūnanga and
amongst the Sector Māngai                reforms, to mental health and te reo    Dixon, Thereza Clark, Corina           persistence of health inequities.           involved in the co-design of health              Labour’s Māori caucus.
elected at Public Sector, DHB and        revitalisation.                         Alipate, Andrea Jerry, Pamela
Combined sector hui in August and                                                McCullough, Natasha Hohaia
September.
                                         But alongside that, the hui
                                         enabled delegates to share ideas        Kāwanatanga-ā-Rohe - Local
                                                                                                                           ‘It’s important to have Māori and female voices at the table’
Their role is to organise and            and experiences and to go away          Government: Sally Simpson,
                                                                                                                        From small town Aotearoa to the                                                              says it was also a great opportunity for
advocate for Māori members in            invigorated and inspired.               Joy Benioni, Kevin Thompson,
                                                                                                                        United Nations – it’s been a big year                                                        professional development.
their sectors. They also represent                                               Reremoana Sinclair
                                         “It opens their eyes to see that it’s                                          for one PSA member from Te Puni
their sectors on Te Kōmiti o Te                                                                                         Kokiri.                                                                                      “Te Puni Kōkiri is keen to make
                                         not just about my workplace. We all     Rātonga Mahi ā te Kāwanatanga
Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Awhina and on                                                  - Public Service: Priscilla Benioni,                                                                                                these kinds of experiences
                                         have common issues,” Marcia says.
sector committees.                                                               Paula Davis, Pere Paul, Marshall       Staff from the Ministry’s policy                                                             accessible to as many people as
                                         “It is huge for engaging delegates,     Tangaroa                               teams have attended UN indigenous
“It’s a very important role so it’s                                                                                                                                                                                  possible. It’s important to have
                                         building whanaungatanga,                                                       rights forums in Geneva and New                              Erin Keenan
great to see fresh faces coming                                                  Rāngai Tūmatanui - State Sector:                                                                                                    Māori and female voices at the
                                         kotahitanga and rangatiratanga.”                                               York.
forward, while we’ve retained some                                               Alby Marsh, Susan Young, Gail                                                      to hear about New Zealand as we                  table.”
experienced hands too,” says PSA                                                                                        For policy manager Erin Keenan              are unique in having Te Tiriti and
                                         SECTOR MĀNGAI:                          Arthur, Melanian Brown
                                                                                                                                                                    acknowledging there are areas that               Erin, from Te Ātiawa ki Taranaki,
Kaiwhakarite Māori Marcia Puru.                                                                                         who grew up near Palmerston North
Rangatahi reps were also elected at      Rātonga Mahi ā Hāpori -                 RANGATAHI REPS:                        it’s been an opportunity to become a        need improvement.                                says it’s also important to convey
the hui.                                 Community Public Services:                                                     “global citizen”.                                                                            the real life experiences of whānau
                                         Christine Hawea, Violet Slade,          CPS Simone Best, DHB Jazemine                                                      CONVEYING MĀORI                                  to forums such as the United
                                                                                 Murray, Local Government Leila
SHARING IDEAS                            Mahana Paerata, Pania Love,                                                    “It’s a chance to learn from others         EXPERIENCE                                       Nations, and to bring back the
                                         Elizabeth Wichman                       Bailey-Moore, Public Service           and help others to learn from us.”
The hui also covered a range of                                                  Rireana Kirkwood, State Sector                                                     Erin spoke at the forums and                     ideas that are gained to make a
issues with speakers and workshops       Te Pōari Hauora ā Rohe - DHB:           Lance Westrupp                         Erin says other countries are keen          participated in bilateral meetings. She          meaningful difference for Māori.

20 www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019                                                                                                                                                               www.psa.org.nz    Working Life December 2019 21
International

                                         Celebrating 10 years
                                                                                                                                                                  100 Years On - Labour is still
UnionAID is the New Zealand union movement’s international development charity. As our 10th anniversary
           draws to a close we’d like to thank all those who have supported us during that time.
                                                                                                                                                                       not a Commodity
                  That includes the PSA which is donating $3,000 a year for the next ten years.                         Nā Andrea Fromm PSA Policy                                                                                                               It underlines the importance of
                  You can find out more about our work and how to donate at unionaid.org.nz                             Advisor                                                                                                                                  taking a human-centred approach.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Technology needs to benefit human
                                                                                                                        The 100th anniversary of the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 beings - not the other way around.
                                                                                                                        International Labour Organisation
                                         What UnionAID does                                                             this year is a timely reminder
                                                                                                                                “Today, more than ever, decent work opportunities for all
                                                                                                                                are the key to inclusion, social justice, stability and peace.                                                                   The declaration also promotes
                                                                                                                        of its continued relevance. Its
                                                                                                                                In a world of work undergoing transformative change,
                                                                                                                                Governments, Workers and Employers must come together
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 workers’ rights as key to achieving
                                                                    Around the world 300 million working people
                                                                                                                                to build the future of work we want.”

                                                                                                                        constitution still strikes a chord
                                                                                                                                 Guy Ryder,
                                                                                                                                 ILO Director-General
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 inclusive growth, and the
                                                                      live with their families on less than $2 a day.   for those of us fighting for workers’
                                                                                                                                 International Labour Organization                                                                                               importance of the public sector. The
                                          UnionAID tackles the causes of poverty by helping working people get          rights:  Department of Communication
                                                                                                                                 and Public Information
                                                                                                                                 4, route des Morillons
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 declaration recognises contractors
                                                                    organised to collectively stand up for their
                                                                                                                                 CH-1211 Geneva 22
                                                                                                                                 Switzerland

                                                                                                                           Whereas universal and lasting
                                                                                                                                 Tel: +41 22 799 79 12
                                                                                                                                                                                                     INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 and self-employed people must
                                                                                       rights and better wages.
                                                                                                                                 Fax: +41 22 799 85 77
                                                                                                                                                                                                          THE UN AGENCY FOR THE WORLD OF WORK
                                                                                                                                 Email: communication@ilo.org

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 enjoy adequate protection like all
                                                                                                                                 Visit: www.ilo.org

                                                                                                                           peace can be established only if
                                                                                                                                 Follow us:

                                                      We partner with unions in developing countries to provide            it is based upon social justice;                                                                                                      other workers.
                                                                                                                                                                                                 decolonisation, the creation of
                                                      labour rights education, skills training, advocacy, collective       And whereas conditions of
                                                                                                                                                                                                 Solidarność in Poland, the victory
                                                                     bargaining and establish worker led co-ops.           labour exist involving such
                                                                                                                             148x210_ILO100_Leaflet_EN.indd 4-1

                                                                                                                                                                                                 over apartheid in South Africa.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                20.02.19 14:15

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 SIGNIFICANCE FOR NZ
                                                                                                                           injustice, hardship and privation
                                                        This change is funded by the solidarity donations of New                                                                                                                                                 This Declaration was adopted by
                                                              Zealanders who believe in social justice and better          to large numbers of people as                                         Each year the NZ Council of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 the New Zealand government,
                                                                                          work for a better world.         to produce unrest so great that                                       Trade Unions participates in
                                                                                                                           the peace and harmony of the                                                                                                          its employer and union
                                                                                                                                                                                                 ILO conferences, which adopt
                                                                                                                           world are imperilled; and an                                                                                                          representatives. It therefore guides
                                                                                                                                                                                                 international labour standards.
                                                                                                                           improvement of those conditions                                                                                                       our goals, work relationships,
                                                                                                                                                                                                 They are a crucial building block
                          Achievements over the last 10 years                                                              is urgently required; … by the                                        towards achieving fair globalisation,                           and negotiations in this country.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The PSA is also supporting a CTU
                                                                                                                           regulation of the hours of work,                                      which delivers social justice and
Call centre workers in the Philippines    Railway Workers Union members in         Garment workers in Fiji increased       … the provision of an adequate                                        lasting peace.                                                  campaign for New Zealand to ratify
 successfully campaigned for health       Myanmar bargained for secure jobs      their minimum wage by 19% following       living wage, the protection of                                                                                                        ILO convention 87, which sets out
and safety law changes after a deadly      with decent wages for over 1,000        a campaign by our union partners.       the worker against sickness,                                          In 1999 the ILO proposed the decent                             the rights of unions to exist and
            workplace fire.                          casual staff.                                                         disease and injury arising out of                                     work agenda, which encompasses                                  organise, and Convention 151 which
                                                                                                                           his employment, the protection                                        the creation of employment,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 extends union rights to public
                                                                                                                           of children, young persons and                                        respect and fulfilment of rights at
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 service workers.
                                                                                                                           women, provision for old age                                          work, ensuring social security, and

                                                                                                 $                         and injury, … recognition of the
                                                                                                                           principle of equal remuneration
                                                                                                                                                                                                 negotiation between unions and
                                                                                                                                                                                                 employers.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 We would also like this country to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 put into practice the protections
                                                                                                                           for work of equal value…                                                                                                              in a new ILO convention, which
                                                                                                                                                                                                 FUTURE OF WORK                                                  recognises that violence and
                                                                                                                        In 1944, the Philadelphia
                                                                                                                                                                                                 Twenty years on a landmark                                      harassment at work are human
                                                                                                                        Declaration confirmed the vision
                                                                                                                                                                                                 report entitled ‘Work for a                                     rights violations.
                      Over                                                                                              of the ILO in a few simple words:
                                                                                                                                                                                                 Brighter Future’, addresses today’s
                                                                                                                        Labour is not a commodity.                                                                                                               Although 100 years old, the ILO is
                                                                                                                                                                                                 challenges to decent work including
                                                                                                                                                                                                 unprecedented transformational                                  not a lame duck but a grand dame
                                                                                                                        CONTINUING INFLUENCE                                                     and technological change. This                                  able to influence the world of work,
                                                                                                                        Since then the organisation has                                          year’s annual ILO conference                                    yet relying on all of us to make
                                                                                                                        played a role at key historical                                          adopted the Centenary Declaration                               decent work a reality in the 21st
        Dalit workers in India have formed                  Nearly 2,000 migrant women from Myanmar have had skills     junctures – the Great Depression,                                        for the Future of Work.                                         century.
      their own worker led co-operatives and                 training and labour rights education and gone onto find
              doubled their incomes.                          decent work in Thailand safe from human trafficking.                                                                                                                               www.psa.org.nz          Working Life December 2019 23
Health                                                                                                                  Member profile

                            Your voice, our system
The PSA is hosting regional and            and Addiction, closely followed by a      Several new mental health initiatives
online health forums in December to        $1.9 billion mental health package in     have already begun making headway.
give members another opportunity           this year’s budget.
                                                                                     These include a $6m pilot programme
to have their say in the reshaping of
                                           As the Government has been                giving 22 general practices and
services.
                                           implementing changes, the PSA has         kaupapa Māori providers funding to
The forums will focus on mental            been working to ensure our members        place trained mental health workers
health & addiction services, Māori         who will be delivering transformed        into primary health services such
health inequities, and disability          mental healthcare are represented in      as doctors’ clinics and iwi health
services.                                  the redesign of services.                 providers.

Members are invited to propose             We’ve been meeting regularly with         The Government’s suicide prevention
solutions from a worker perspective        Deputy Director-General of Mental         strategy has identified national
to failures that have been identified in   Health & Addiction Robyn Shearer,         leadership, using evidence, workforce
the system.                                while PSA representatives have also       development, and evaluation and
                                           met with the MHA Directorate to           monitoring, as keys to building a
The forums are in Wellington on            discuss the struggling state of crisis    strong system that supports wellbeing
December 2, Christchurch December          teams.                                    and responds to people’s needs
3, and Auckland December 6.
                                           As a result of this crisis team           An initial Mental Health Commission

                                                                                                                                                             Fearsome fighter
                                           delegates will soon be invited to         has been announced to help establish
ENSURING WORKER VOICE                      gather workforce experiences and          a permanent commission in February
The forums come six months after           ideas to report back to the Ministry of   2021. The Commission will track the
the Government released its response       Health.                                   Government’s progress on actions to
to He Ara Oranga: Report of the                                                      improve mental healthcare, reporting    PSA delegate Kelly Broerse says             “It’s a really big achievement fighting    are involved in finding the truth.”
Government Inquiry in Mental Health        EARLY INITIATIVES                         back to the Minister of Health.         her colleagues at the Institute of          for a world title. But I’m most proud
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Kelly says her workmates make jokes
                                                                                                                             Environmental Science and Research          of actually getting in the ring. The
                                                                                                                             (ESR) in Auckland are used to her           anxiety when you are waiting to get        about ‘keeping her hands up’ when
                                                                                                                             showing up at work with black eyes          in there with someone who wants to         they see her fight wounds – but
                                                                                                                             and bruises.                                smash you is insane,” Kelly says.          they are also extremely supportive,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    attending fights or watching them on
                                                                                                                             That’s because when she’s not               Muay Thai boxing is a stand-up             You Tube.
                                                                                                                             involved in a tough round of                form of martial arts and Kelly says
                                                                                                                             negotiations, or doing her day job as       it’s attracting a growing number of        In turn, Kelly has shown her support
                                                                                                                             a forensic technician, Kelly is likely to   female fighters in New Zealand             for her colleagues in her role as a
                                                                                                                             be found in the Muay Thai kickboxing                                                   delegate.
                                                                                                                             ring.                                       She says a competitive nature has

             Getting workers home safe and healthy
                                                                                                                                                                         helped her succeed in the ring, along       “I’ve been on the negotiating team
                                                                                                                             She has an impressive record of 14          with a strong work ethic.                  this year and have been involved in
                                                                                                                             wins from 17 fights, and currently                                                     restructuring. So sometimes we are
                WorksafeReps is owned and operated by the Workers Education Trust,                                           holds one New Zealand and two               DREAM JOB                                  the middle men during all of that
                 established by the PPTA, PSA, RMTU, NZNO, DWU and the NZCTU                                                 South Pacific titles.                                                                  which can be challenging.
                                                                                                                                                                         Kelly brings the same determination
                     to provide education courses in health and safety at work.                                                                                          to succeed to her “dream job”,
                                                                                                                             WORLD TITLE FIGHT                           processing DNA crime samples from
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    “But it’s also been great for my
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    personal and professional growth,
                                                                                                                             Kelly also fought unsuccessfully for        all over New Zealand.
                                   To book a course, or for more information:                                                                                                                                       helping to develop my confidence
                                                                                                                             an amateur world title in Brisbane in
                                                                                                                                                                         “It’s not glamorous, my team doesn’t       in dealing with issues, and public
                                                                                                                             September.
                           www.worksafereps.co.nz                             0800 336 966                                   Not bad for a woman who got into the
                                                                                                                                                                         attend crime scenes. But while
                                                                                                                                                                         the police and other teams are the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    speaking. And it’s been a great insight
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    into ESR and other parts of our
                                                                                                                             sport just to keep fit.                     frontline, it’s rewarding to know we       business.”

24 www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019                                                                                                                                                               www.psa.org.nz   Working Life December 2019 25
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