More than 200 Statistics New Zealand staff took to the streets across the country today after a breakdown in collective bargaining.
Staff in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are striking against what the Public Service Association (PSA) has labelled a 'needlessly complex' pay system. They are also protesting Statistics NZ's refusal to negotiate a pay increase.
"Statistics NZ have refused any across-the-board pay increase, leaving staff falling further behind the cost of living," says PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff.
"The complex workings of the system mean that staff are locked into training pay grades, unable to progress to a fair salary."
But Statistics NZ deputy chief executive Kelvin Watson told One News the department will not negotiate outside of the formal bargaining. Details of the offer will not be released to the public due to the laws around collective bargaining.
"We can say we are disappointed that our offer hasn't been recommended to staff by the PSA, and that its average performance-based 3 percent rise is generous relative to other public sector settlements."
Staff had asked for a two percent pay increase, Public Service Association organiser Susannah Bailey told NZ Newswire at the Auckland protest.
She says the number is not far above the annual CPI increase of 1.6 percent which they calculate as part of their job.
"At the moment, under the existing pay system, people who are meeting all expectations for their role will get at most a 0.7 percent increase in real terms. Many are going backwards."
Auckland-based employee Lorain Clark says she felt compelled to attend the rally.
"I've been on the bargaining team, and their idea of bargaining is coming to us and reading a statement. It is not actively engaging in negotiations, as you would expect," she says.
"I've been here 20 years, and this is the first time we have had to do a full day's strike.
She is hoping senior management will take notice and sit down for negotiations.
Ron Krakenbrink has been with Statistics NZ for eight years and says the pay system is far too complex.
"We want statistics NZ to come back with some real pay movements [towards] a fair and negotiated pay system," he says.
A young Auckland employee, who wished to remain anonymous, says the current pay system is needlessly convoluted.
"It would take us 25 years to reach the midpoint of our band," she says. "I'd be 53-years-old by the time that happens."
She says younger graduates are put off the by 'casualisation' of the positions at Statistics NZ.
"[There is] a lot of temping and that doesn't give a lot of young people security.
"I think there are a lot of graduates going to Australia because they have trouble finding a full-time job."
3 News
source: newshub archive
