Working Life THE PSA JOURNAL JULY 2019

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4 President's message Working Life 5 Empowering fight for fair pay Te Mahinga Ora 6-7 News in brief THE PSA JOURNAL

Working Life is published quarterly. 8-11 Christchurch tragedy Views and opinions expressed in Working Life do not necessarily 12 Public service reform represent PSA policy. Love your library assistants Editor: Jo O'Brien 13 Design & layout: Dan Phillips. 14-15 Budget 2019 Contributors: Bronte Ammundsen, Jo O’Brien, Paula Davis, Alastair 16-17 Refugee exhibition Gibbons, Paul Kearns, Michael Naylor 18 Oranga Tamariki Printing: Webstar, Masterton. PSA Executive Board 19 Inaugural Justice hui Janet Quigley (president), Kathy Higgins, Caroline Fisher, 20 Health workers want action Benedict Ferguson, Jacky Maaka, Gail Arthur, Marshall Tangaroa, 21 Pasefika network powers ahead Lesley Dixon, Pania Love, Caro Fisher, Megan Barry Arohatia Te Reo Erin Polaczuk, Glenn Barclay, and 22-23 Kerry Davies. 24-25 Health and Safety PSA contact details PSA, PO Box 3817, Wellington. 26 Climate Proof Our Work Freephone 0508 FOR PSA (0508 367 772). 27 Just Transitions Email [email protected]. 28 UnionAID 29 Around & About 30 Why local body elections matter

On the cover xxxxxxxxxx

www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 3 President's message

TĒNĀ KOUTOU KATOA It’s also pleasing to see the equal pay claims for care and support workers, It’s hard to believe we are halfway mental health and addiction through 2019, but as we look back workers, and Oranga Tamariki over the first half of the year it is social workers were funded in the important to firstly acknowledge the budget, but we now need to ensure devastating attacks in Christchurch our present and future claims are on March 15. funded. In this issue of the journal we mark We are making headway on equal the loss of loved ones, family, friends pay with the delivery of a petition and workmates of our PSA whānau. to Parliament in support of the We also pay tribute to PSA members DHB admin workers’ claim, and the who have played or continue to play launch of an equal pay claim for a critical role in the response to local government library assistants. the attacks. It’s been a truly cross- I, along with a large number of These will be a key part of the agency effort which encompasses members was disappointed by PSA’s agenda as we campaign for members from Christchurch and the Government’s decision not candidates to reflect our values in around the country. We will always to proceed with a capital gains the local body and DHB elections be grateful for the strength and tax, which would have helped to later in the year. heroism of those members in one of reduce inequality and ensure that our darkest times. everybody pays a fair share in our So take some time now to read about the challenges and achievements of I would also like to acknowledge the society. your fellow members in this issue. work of PSA staff and delegates who But it is pleasing to see a major have supported members that have Ma whero ma pango ka oti ai te mahi investment in mental health in been affected by the attacks. If everyone plays their part, the work this year’s budget, which shows the will be complete I had the pleasure of meeting with value of the PSA’s campaign to raise PSA staff at their recent conference awareness of this issue. Janet Quigley, PSA President in Wellington. The conference was a great opportunity to thank our staff DHB admin workers deliver their petition to Parliament from around New Zealand for the awesome work they are doing on behalf of members.

Among that mahi is the fight members and organisers have taken to Access Community Health for fair pay for its lowpaid coordinators, call centre and administration workers.

It is especially disappointing that Access has so far refused to significantly up its pay offer, when you consider the millions in profit made by its owner, Green Cross Health last year.

Kia kaha to the kaimahi at Access in their continued fight for a fairer deal!

4 www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 Fair Pay Empowering fight for fair pay It’s the first time many of the co-ordinators, administrators, and call centre workers from Access Community Health have gone on strike – but they say the principle of fair pay is worth fighting for.

THE WORKERS COORDINATE home support for more than 21,000 elderly, disabled or injured clients. In May and June, about 100 Access members have taken to the streets repeatedly to demand a fair deal from their employer. “Brrr it’s cold up there, there must be some Access in the atmosphere,” they chant, in reference to the company’s cold-hearted pay offer which leaves many on or near the minimum wage. Access Petone delegate Keila Jensen says the industrial action has been “really empowering”. “We have got an upbeat street party vibe going on. The PSA brings the barbeque out, we do our chants.” workers and clients. If we don’t turn even get us near pay parity with PSA assistant secretary Melissa up, our clients don’t get seen. We other companies. I don’t see it as Woolley admires the members’ go outside of our job description unreasonable.” on a daily basis and it’s just not enthusiasm. Andi says they should be valued as acknowledged.” “Many of them are young and striking they make sure patients receive the for the first time, but they have heaps NATIONWIDE ACTION care they need. of energy, making signs, chanting for “For older clients we are a health and Workers have been taking action at hours out in the cold.” safety check to make sure they’re okay.” other Access sites including Auckland, Keila says they rallied together when Whangarei, Hamilton, Havelock Access is a subsidiary of Green Cross Access suspended some members, and North, Palmerston North, Porirua, Health, which owns ‘The Doctors’, tried to pit them against each other by Nelson, Milton, Oamaru, Christchurch, Unichem and Life Pharmacies. Green offering some more than others. Dunedin, Invercargill, and Balclutha. Cross’s net profit attributable to “The suspensions were scary, there shareholders was $18.7 million in Invercargill Access senior care co- were a few tears. But the team bonded 2018. ordinator Andi Smyth says working in and we walked back in there together.” a small town, they know people doing The PSA and E tū are urging Access to The strikes are a last resort, but Keila similar work for other companies earn come back to the negotiating table. says they need to to support their $5-6 an hour more. She says they’re You can support Access members and families, and ensure a quality service is standing up for fair pay. the PSA hardship fund here: maintained for clients. “It’s the principle. We are only asking www.psa.org.nz/media/resources/ “We build up a rapport with support for an extra dollar, which won’t psa-hardship-fund .

www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 5 NEWS IN BRIEF

During sector hui Te Rūnanga will seek to involve BACK TO THE FUTURE members affected by treaty breaches such as the Crown’s failure to provide adequate education, and to eliminate workplace bias for wāhine Māori.

Legal aid has also been granted for the claim. PARLIAMENTARY BULLYING The PSA is backing recommendations to reform the culture of the Parliamentary workplace, including greater funding, reforming employment relationships and aligning terms and conditions across agencies.

In May the Francis Review found ‘systemic’ bullying and harassment in the Parliamentary Service, Ministerial & With a theme and a playlist that’s borrowed from the 80s, Secretariat Services/DIA and the Office of the Clerk. the Back to the Future PSAY Hui promises to be as much fun as a ride in Marty McFly’s time-travel machine. Proposed reforms included overhauling events-based The agenda for the youth network hui includes skits, employment of political staff, confidential and specialist dancing, and a workshop on self-care. reporting channels and greater investment in the workforce. But there will also be serious mahi, with sessions on union history, gender issues at work, international events, rule The PSA is now calling for accountability for the changes, mentoring, and guest speakers including MP implementation of the reforms, and for worker voices to be Chloe Swarbrick. including during the transformation process.

PSAY Hui 2019 at Wellington’s SPCA & Brentwood Hotel TAX REFORM STILL NEEDED from July 31-August 2. The PSA believes the Government’s decision to rule out a capital gains tax is a lost opportunity, but the

POSITIVE SIGNS FOR MANA WAHINE union will continue to promote reforms that will increase The PSA is encouraged by signs the Crown intends revenue for public services and to reduce inequality. to address employment inequities suffered by wāhine Maori, which are highlighted in Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa National secretaries Glenn Barclay and Kerry Davies say Āwhina’s Waitangi Tribunal claim. the CGT decision limits the tax revenue base needed to achieve those goals. Claim Wai 2864 was registered by the Tribunal earlier this year, as part of its Mana Wahine Kaupapa Inquiry. The PSA had supported the Tax Working Group’s recommendation to introduce a CGT, alongside several The PSA and Te Rūnanga welcome $6.2 million funding leading economists, and a network of community groups announced in Budget 2019 to progress the inquiry. and citizens who had been gaining a voice through the Tax Justice Aotearoa fairer tax campaign. We are also pleased by Women’s Minister ’s comments that the inquiry will look to make early FAIR PAY AGREEMENT RESEARCH acknowledgement of problems, and focus on what can be changed to address injustice and inequality. A Report produced by BERL for the CTU has found a return to sector bargaining in the form of Fair Pay

6 www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 Agreements is the single biggest thing the Government union, unless the new worker doesn’t want that. could do to improve wellbeing. The union has sent out “Join the PSA” handouts to all The agreements would deliver a better deal to vulnerable employers to give to new staff. low paid workers in industries where collective bargaining is difficult. We have also set up a system for employers to send names and details, so we can invite them to join by text The research also highlights economic benefits to good and email. employers who compete on quality and innovation. FAIRER PAY FOR FAMILY CARERS The PSA is now calling on the Government to introduce the agreements. The PSA welcomes fairer pay rates for family who provide care to whānau with disabilities. DHB ADMIN MECA RATIFICATIONS Under changes to the Funded Family Care policy, pay The ratification of new collective employment rates will increase from the minimum wage to a fairer pay agreements for Auckland, Northland and Lower North equity rate of between $20.50 and $25.50. Island in May brought a long overdue pay rise for DHB admin workers in those regions. The PSA has a long history of supporting family carers and believes it is only fair the Government is bringing It came after admin workers in those DHBs voted for their pay rates into line with those earned by care and industrial action in February. support workers under their pay equity settlement.

Bargaining has been proceeding for members in South CTU-GOVT FORUMS Island and Midland Regions. The second in a series of Council of Trade Unions- EQUAL PAY CLAIMS UPDATE Government Forums was held in Palmerston North on July 3. The PSA and public and state sector agencies are working together to identify female dominated The regional forums provide an opportunity for union occupations in the Public Service, their size, pay and members and delegates to meet Prime Minister Jacinda ethnic makeup. The working groups are also deciding Ardern, Ministers and Associate Ministers to discuss how to approach equal pay claims for those occupations. issues relating to their industries.

Public sector, health and educations working groups Further forums will be held in Wellington on August 9, have also been formed to identify gender pay gaps to be Dunedin on September 5, Auckland on November 26 addressed in each sector. (TBC), and Christchurch TBC.

Processing and bargaining for the DHB claim resumes CARTOON BOOK WINNERS: later this month. A petition with more than 12,800 signatures in support of the claim was presented to Copies of PSA member Paul Parliament in April. Diamond’s book Savaged to Suit: Māori and Cartooning in LAW CHANGE SPARKS New Zealand are on their way to RECRUITMENT OPPORTUNITY four members who entered our competition in the last issue. Changes to the Employment Relations Act are enabling the PSA to reach out to potential new members, and enact They are Trish Johnson from He the right for workers to get information about unions in Puna Waiora, Ken Ross from Far new workplaces. North District Council, Jacqueline Neilsford-Jones from Corrections, and Alan Cruis- Employers must now, where a collective agreement Johnston, an Associate Member. exists, provide new staff with PSA material when they start work. They correctly answered that was the MP who challenged two Al Nisbet cartoons in the High Court. Employers are also required to forward their names to the

www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 7 C hristchuch tragedy

PSA members step up in our darkest hour

The mosque attacks in Christchurch shocked Aotearoa and the world, but for some of our members it was also a moment when they had to put professionalism before emotion and tend to the needs of the victims. Here are a few of their stories.

AT THE HOSPITAL training, it was a situation I never DISASTER PROTOCOLS expected to experience in real life. Admin worker Susan was in the Staff quickly fell into the systems I’m proud of the work we did that ambulance area when word came outlined in their disaster protocols, day,” says Susan. through of a drive-by shooting. but with rumours flying in the For the hospital social workers, the hospital of a gunman loose, and the “Initially we were expecting about first sign something was wrong was sudden influx of victims, it was a five wounded but suddenly it was terrifying and overwhelming time. 50. The best way I can describe the sight of police running around it was like being in an episode of outside with guns. “I had a responsibility to the people in MASH,” she says. front of me, but we’ve all got families Within half an hour they were as well, so we were worrying about the dealing with shocked and distressed For the admin workers the goal was impact on them,” says social worker relatives and friends trying to find to process patients quickly, with and PSA Allied Health delegate Jacqui their loved ones. as little form filling as possible. Turner. When the identity of patients was unknown they were given a tracking “Some were looking for the living, “A lot of people dug deep, to find the number. Making sure their details some were looking for the dead. energy they needed.” stayed with them and were not lost It was heart-rending,” says social was the challenge. worker Austin Coulthard. The ripple effects of the tragedy quickly spread through the hospital. “Everyone was running on “Because of our work, someone got Medical lab scientist and PSA adrenalin. We knew what we had to to the bedside in time of someone delegate Sue Lloyd says they were do and we just did it. Despite all our who later died.” soon inundated in the lab building.

8 www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 C hristchuch tragedy

“We were busy, but we were in shock. Everyone was given a number and triaged, tests were done on every patient. We were quickly aware, there was not just a few, but a lot.”

LOCKDOWN On the afternoon of the shootings police advised much of the city including council buildings to go into lockdown.

The central library is mostly staffed by PSA members who swung into action. Xxxxxxx “It was all very sudden. We had about a thousand people in the Among those providing the face- building, a lot of students from to-face service were staff from the climate strike were there, so Victim Support, ACC, the Ministry We had to we were just trying to make people of Education, Housing NZ, and comfortable,” says library worker Immigration, along with Muslim come up with a Tom Roud. leaders, and legal advisors. humanitarian “Most of the public were really Immigration officer Emily Hanham happy to abide by the lockdown. says a 24-hour facility was set up response to We gave out hot chocolates, tea and with workers in immigration offices coffee.” around the world processing visas these issues People in the library were keeping to enable family members to come up to date with the disturbing news to New Zealand. for people of the attacks, and staff arranged “We also had people who were here quiet areas for people to go if they on visas who couldn’t work because who were in were feeling distressed. they were injured,” Emily recalls. desperate Staff also gathered to support each “What are they going to do? We had other in quick huddles during the to come up with a humanitarian situations.” four-hour lockdown. response to these issues for people who were in desperate situations.” “We were obviously feeling ACKNOWLEDGEMENT concerned too, but in a public “A lot of it was listening to people’s facing role you have a duty of care stories, referring them on to who The PSA also wishes to to the public and you need to act they needed. Some of the stories, acknowledge and honour the work professionally. We were trying not to some of the things I saw, I’m never of so many members around the add to the distress of others.” going to forget that. People tell you country across the public service, terrible sad news. state sector, community public RESPONSE HUB services, local government and “But to be able to listen, to witness district health boards, who have Within days of the attacks an inter- their dignity, and to be able to help played and continue to play a role agency response hub was set up to was the only way for me to process in the response to the March 15 help victims and their families. it.” attacks.

www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 9 C hristchuch tragedy

Caring for the carers

In the aftermath of the March 15 attacks it became clear that people who had been caring for others were in need of care themselves.

THE PSA HAS been playing a critical tragedy has continued to stretch “Within hours, we’d mobilised a team role in supporting its members from the resources of the social work including clinical psychologists to the outset. department. get alongside our people. We listened to what people told us would be MSD delegate and national convenor “We had forty injured patients with helpful, and more than 1,600 staff for contact centres, Jessi Abrams was extraordinarily high needs, who all one of many who got in touch with required intense input for weeks. This have participated in sessions led by members to check on their welfare. was not just run of the mill social our teams.” work,” says social worker Austin “All sites had instant access to Staff at the DHB and many other Coulthard. counselling and time off,” she says. workplaces have also been advised of “It’s been a stressful time and there is other sources of help such as GPs and “Some members in contact centres an emotional toll. It’s important but Employee Assistance Programmes, in Auckland had relatives or people not always easy to remember to take and urged to speak with their they knew directly affected by the time out.” managers if they need support. shootings. They got the support they needed.” Social worker Karen Butler agrees. “We’re employing people whose work “It was difficult to wind down. The But a few months down the track, Jessi is to care for other people, so it can helicopters overhead, the police says fatigue has set in. be a challenging conversation to ask guarding the hospital, it was triggering. them to think about what they need” The sounds and sights took us back to “We provide financial help to those in says Michael, who also leads a whole- need when there’s an emergency, so the earthquakes. It brought everything of-government welfare response that’s an extra workload. People still back.” group in the region, which the PSA keep going to work, but across the attends. board people are tired.” WELFARE RESPONSE Canterbury District Health Board Chief “We’re committed to putting our EMOTIONAL TOLL People Officer Michael Frampton says people at the heart of everything we That fatigue can also be seen at the DHB initiated a welfare response do, so they can continue to support Christchurch Hospital where the plan to help staff cope with the trauma. our community.”

10 www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 C hristchuch tragedy

NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL sympathetic to requests for time off, think it’s time to get back to business and offered other assistance such as as usual, but some of our members Also at a regional level, PSA delegate group counselling sessions. gave a part of themselves they may meetings have been held monthly never get back. since March 15 to monitor how He says while members are employers are supporting workers appreciative of their employers’ “Their extraordinary deeds were a true through the tragedy. understanding, in some cases example of public service. We need attitudes have been shifting. to be understanding of what they Christchurch Organiser John Stace continue to go through, and may do says many employers were initially “My biggest fear is that employers will for months and years to come.” Hei maumaharatanga THE PSA HAS been shocked and We extend our deepest sympathies Hanan says her husband was known saddened by the death of Dr Haroon to Dr Mahmood’s wife Kiran Munir, as ‘The Saint’ because of his good Mahmood, a student member of our a researcher at Landcare Research will. “He was the perfect man, it’s a union, who was killed at the Masjid Al in Lincoln, and children Ahmad and big loss.” Noor Mosque on March 15. Izzah Haroon. We extend our deepest condolences The 40 year-old was an Academic ********************* to Hanan and her two sons, aged Supervisor at Canterbury College, 20 and 23 for the tragic loss of their a private school for international PSA member, Hanan Aladem, a husband and father. students. He has been described by clinical coder at the Canterbury a colleague as a “very gentle good District Health Board, lost her We would also like to acknowledge person”. husband Dr Amjad Hamid in the and send our aroha to many other Dr Mahmood had recently completed attacks. members across the PSA who his PhD in Finance from Lincoln have lost loved ones, friends and Dr Hamid was a cardiologist who had University where he previously workmates, or have been touched by worked at Christchurch Hospital for 20 tutored in Finance, Economics and this tragedy in other ways. Statistics. years. The 57 year-old also worked at Hawera Hospital in South Taranaki. Me te aroha tino nui atu. As salaam In May, his wife and two children aged alaikum 12 and 11 attended his graduation The couple moved from Qatar to New ceremony and accepted his parchment Zealand in 1995, hoping for a better, With loving sympathy. Peace be from the university on his behalf. safer future for their family. with you

Support is Available The PSA is acutely aware the March 15 attacks have also impacted members not directly involved in the emergency response, and members outside of Christchurch. Members should feel free to talk to their employer and the PSA, or to contact an EAP provider if in need of support. Other support sources: Free call or text 1737 to talk to a trained counsellor; Victim Support – 0800 842 846; Lifeline – 0800 543 354; allright.org.nz For advice on talking to children about trauma: Parenting Place www.theparentingplace.com; Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 for people up to 18 years old; Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234, email [email protected], or find online chat and other support here.

www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 11 Public service reform

‘The biggest transformation in 30 years’: What could a new look Public Service mean for you?

A new Public Service Act has been unveiled by the Government to create a more effective and unified Public Service.

STATE SERVICES MINISTER Chris “The PSA welcomes the potential to Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Awhina is Hipkins says all public service breakdown barriers between central pleased its submission has been departments and crown agents will and local government,” say national acknowledged within the reforms. be included in the new Public Service, secretaries Glenn Barclay and Kerry “Maori are over-represented in “unleashing a sense of purpose, pride Davies. and passion” in the public servants negative statistics in health, within it. This could even involve the sharing education and other areas. We hope of accommodation and IT systems these changes will improve outcomes Crown agents include most crown across agencies. for Māori,” Te Rūnanga convenor entities including DHBs, Housing NZ, Marshall Tangaroa says. ACC and NZTA, except those that are EMPLOYMENT independent and autonomous. Te Rūnanga also welcomes a proposal CONDITIONS that will enable the appointment of a deputy commissioner with ONE STOP SHOP The changes aim to improve mobility responsibility for Māori issues. The changes will involve a cross- and career paths across the public agency or “one stop shop” approach service by allowing people to transfer FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION to tackling complex issues like child leave entitlements between agencies, poverty, climate change and mental and to be restructured into different The new act recognises the political health. jobs without going through a formal neutrality of the public service, but application process. acknowledges public servants have The renamed Public Service the right to freedom of political Commissioner will lead a team of The Commissioner will be able to expression in their private lives. chief executives, who will take on direct groups of chief executives to cross system leadership roles and set bargain collectively to set terms and “We have been advocating for the strategy. conditions for different occupations recognition of your rights and we across agencies. celebrate this,” say the national “In delivery terms we’re talking about secretaries. one car up the drive instead of six,” the Minister says. “This should make PARTNERSHIP WITH MĀORI While the PSA believes the reforms it easier for families to get services.” As called for by the PSA, the new act are largely positive, we will be will include a section on the Crown’s seeking your views on how they can JOINED-UP REGIONS relationship with Māori and Te Tiriti o be improved on at sector committee meetings and hui. One immediate change may be Waitangi. for agencies to work together at a This will feed into our submission It will include expectations the regional level. on the bill, which will be drafted and Commissioner and chief executives referred to select committee later this work in partnership with Māori, This will include appointing regional year. cross-government leaders, who work deliver services that work for Māori, with local government, iwi and other develop a workforce that reflects the You can read more about the changes stakeholders to develop service community it serves, and empower in PSA newsletters or go to www.ssc. delivery strategies. Māori to succeed in the public service. govt.nz/changes-state-sector-act-1988

12 www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 Equal Pay Love your Library Assistants An equal pay claim for local government library assistants is underway, with the six largest city councils agreeing to meet with the PSA to set terms of reference for the claim.

THE AGREEMENT CAME after PSA national secretary Glenn Barclay wrote to the councils in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin notifying them of our belief that library assistants suffer from gender-based pay discrimination.

“It’s a big step forward for the claim. We believe the current pay rates are unlawful under the Equal Pay Act,” Glenn says.

“We hope this will lead to an agreed equal pay rate for library assistants that we can bargain to implement with individual councils.”

It’s welcome news for Eleanor Haggerty-Drummond, a library assistant who is With advances in technology, that feedback all the time. They are the Wellington representative on the library assistants are expected to a place where people can be citizens, not customers. Everybody can get a PSA Libraries’ Panel. help customers use sophisticated databases, download e-books, connect library card. “We are seeking pay equity to right to wifi, and print out material. “So we are asking the public to value an historical injustice. Over 80% of “I had a mum asking about a database your library staff as well.” library assistants are women. We suitable for her dyslexic daughter. perform complex roles, but a lot of The PSA Libraries’ Panel will be We get requests from people about us earn about the living wage or just working to build support for their books, where they can’t remember under.” claim in the next few months and the title, but they know it has a blue libraries will be a big part of the PSA’s cover! Sometimes it requires a bit of Eleanor says there is an expectation local government election campaign detective work.” that library assistants have this year. qualifications that contribute to We work with diverse communities, their roles, but there is little financial This is the first equal pay claim for people who are homeless or have reward for doing so. local government workers. The PSA mental health issues, which can be believes it will be a platform to help “Some people think our job is just emotionally taxing, Eleanor says. achieve equal pay settlements for about issuing and returning books, “But it’s also rewarding, sharing your members in other female-dominated but public libraries cater to a huge knowledge with children, or running occupations over time, including cross section of society with a range book groups for senior citizens.” other library workers, administrators, of abilities, so it is challenging,” she customer service and personal says. “People love their libraries, we get assistants.

www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 13 Budget 2019

Wellbeing budget welcome but what about the elephant in the room?

It was trumpeted as transformational but Budget 2019 has left some questioning whether wellbeing can truly be achieved within current fiscal constraints.

The wellbeing approach of Budget “However, like many others we are NEW SPENDING 2019 is being praised as world wondering how wellbeing can be leading, but there are questions about achieved within the constraints of the Dr Nana says $3.5 billion of new how much can be achieved within the Budget Responsibility Rules,” says Mr spending including money for mental health, family and sexual violence, current fiscal constraints. Barclay. Whānau Ora, hospital and school The PSA supports the new focus CTU economist Bill Rosenberg buildings, and Kiwi Rail is impressive. on wellbeing which significantly agrees. He says the budget’s focus on But he says with debt projected at changes the way the budget is put improving wellbeing is “praiseworthy,” under 20% of GDP in 2023, and a together. but we can’t overlook the elephant in the room. track of growing surpluses, there was “It’s world leading in moving away “elbow room” to do more to trigger a from GDP as the main measure “We can have the best decision dramatic transformation in business, of economic performance, and making in the world, and the best economy and communities across embedding in wellbeing criteria” say intentions to produce good results but Aotearoa. national secretaries Glenn Barclay if there is not enough money to pay “Why do we have to have those rainy and Kerry Davies. for them then vital priorities will go unaddressed.” day surpluses… We are embedding in For the PSA there were pleasing current levels of poverty if we don’t announcements including the Mr Rosenberg says the relaxation go further than indexing benefits to significant investment in mental of the Government’s Budget wages.” health, the indexing of benefits to Responsibility Rules is essential to wage increases, and the provision truly achieve well-being. ADEQUATE FUNDING NEEDED of some funding for equal pay BERL chief economist Ganesh Nana settlements. agrees the Government’s conventional For the PSA there were also some view of budget responsibility throws disappointments including a $7 BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY a “dark shadow” over its desire to million drop in funding for disability RULES transform New Zealand. support, and the failure to raise

14 www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 Budget 2019 in-between travel rates for home providers in the social sector. “The government’s goal of improving support workers. well-being is to be applauded, but it But there appears to be little must adequately fund agencies so Funding for District Health Boards provision to fund these costs, the they have the capacity to bring it to is not expected to keep up with the national secretaries say. fruition.” demands of a growing and ageing population. New funding to end homelessness Waring’s Wellbeing is admirable, but the PSA would also Former MP and economist Marilyn Waring presented her own take on have liked to have seen significant wellbeing during two lunchtime seminars at PSA House in Wellington in new investment in low cost housing. May, prior to the budget announcements. “The impact of the housing crisis has Ms Waring told the audiences GDP failed to take into account the been felt across our membership, enormous contribution women make to the economy through unpaid with over two-thirds living in labour such as child rearing and food gathering. unaffordable housing,” says national secretary Kerry Davies. She said it would be more accurate to measure the time spent on activities rather than their monetary value. Her analysis was based on her book, Still The PSA is also pleased to see Counting: Wellbeing, Women’s Work and Policy Making. acknowledgement of the costs of closing the gender pay gap, Huge interest in the first seminar led the PSA policy team to organise a minimum wage increases, and second session to meet the demand. boosting funding for contracted

More for mental health but workforce concerns remain

The PSA has strongly welcomed Prior to the budget release, the those involved in providing these funding for mental health and Government shared its long-awaited services be given a say,” Mr Colwell addiction services in the 2019 response to He Ara Oranga – Report says. Wellbeing Budget, with increases for of the Government Inquiry into front line services, drug and alcohol Mental Health and Addiction. WORKFORCE CONCERNS support, transitional housing and It accepted in principle or agreed to He says concerns still remain about more. building and sustaining a workforce further consider 38 of the report’s 40 capable of delivering needed But while the PSA mental health and recommendations. addiction committee is excited by services. In its post-budget hui, the PSA the positive funding allocations, it is “In the PSA’s response to He Ara mental health committee agreed the also voicing concerns for high needs Oranga earlier this year, we made Government’s response is a positive service users. it clear the workforce is under- step, but believes it’s essential resourced and understaffed “The bulk of mental health funding workers’ voices are heard as the to successfully implement the allocated to DHBs to cover services recommendations are acted on. recommendations,” Mr Colwell says. for people with the most severe needs has technically increased, “We want representation in the “While the budget refers to but amounts to nil in real terms,” new Mental Health and Wellbeing allocations for workforce says committee co-convenor Andy Commission, and in the design and development across the health Colwell. implementation process. The worker service being a major focus, we are voice has been under-represented in yet to know how this workforce WORKER VOICE ESSENTIAL the past, and we see it as crucial that development is going to progress.”

www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 15 Refugee workers

Alexandra Guevera My LifeTo Live An exhibition in Wellington is highlighting the plight of refugees who often come to New Zealand with big dreams, but end up working long hours in low paid jobs just to get by.

THE PSA IS one of the sponsors of My New Zealand when she was 18. Help out my mother. Life To Live, which tells the story and Now she works in a minimum wage ‘Some people think that because a celebrates the contribution of refugee security job – but dreams of a better person is doing something else, we background workers in Aotearoa. life for herself and her family. don't have something in our minds In photos by Iranian Ehsan Hazaveh for ourselves. But I’ve never stopped the stories of six workers from dreaming about being a doctor.’ South Sudan, Iraq, Ethiopia, Eritrea A lot of young SHOCKING REALITY Myanmar and Colombia are told. people come here A Living Wage Aotearoa Many have escaped war and conflict with dreams but they spokesperson Ibrahim Omer says life in their homelands to come to New don’t go further. They is tough for refugees on low wages. Zealand. just work, work, work “The reality is shocking. Getting a One of the first memories of and then they job is the first challenge. After that Colombian Alexandra Guevera is of a they get low paid jobs, supermarkets, man pointing a gun at her mother. burn out.” cleaning, security, they have to work double shifts. There was fighting in her home ‘If my job paid the living wage it region, but after leaving for Ecuador, would be a big change. I want to pay “A lot of young people come here her family was chosen to come to for my studies… for medical school. with dreams but they don’t go

16 www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 Refugee workers

Niguisse Fenja Participants in the Exhibition

further. They just work, work, work helping people, on social time, time the living wage, that he was able to go and then they burn out.” for my child, time to go to church.’ to Victoria University and graduate three years later. Niguisse Fenja is an example of what a difference a fair wage can make. Ibrahim says refugees have often The Prime come from traumatic situations. Growing up in an orphanage in Minister visits the exhibition, Ethiopia, Niguisse only managed to with Ibrahim “They have a lot of issues that need avoid being recruited into the army Omer a lot of support, but their resilience when he was 14 by pretending he had and determination gets them a limp. At age 15 he was arrested and through.” beaten up by civil security. There has been strong interest in In 2002 he arrived in New Zealand the exhibition, including a packed as an asylum seeker, working first as opening night and a visit by Prime a supermarket cleaner. He went on Minister . Ibrahim to work in a rest home because he says it has helped draw attention to wanted to ‘pay something back’ by the issues of refugee workers but now caring for others. LIVING WAGE LIFE they need to keep the momentum ‘When I started as a care support it CHANGING going. was a minimum wage job. You can’t Ibrahim Omer has also benefited “Our job is to push further and make even dream and it’s hard to survive. from the living wage. Originally from things change.” But he says life changed when Eritrea, Ibrahim says he was working The exhibition can be viewed at support workers achieved their pay 70-80 hour weeks when he first came Wellington Cathedral of St Paul equity settlement. to New Zealand, but after five years he still hadn’t saved enough money until July 14, and may be moved ‘I’d been working overtime, asking to study. to Auckland after that. A koha is for more shifts. Then suddenly we welcome to support Changemakers had the pay rise. I could now focus on It was only when an employer paid Resettlement Forum.

www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 17 Opinion

Oranga Tamariki members want to be part of the solution

Nā Amy Ross, PSA organiser with national responsibility for Oranga Tamariki and a registered social worker

THE PSA REPRESENTS over 3000 after intensive support has helped fundamental reality that mistakes social workers,1300 of whom work for that family recover from significant are more likely when a worker is Oranga Tamariki. trauma. I have observed them overloaded and stressed. engaging tirelessly with whānau to In the wake of the controversy ensure children stay in their family Oranga Tamariki social workers over ‘uplifting’ babies, our priority unit and remain safe. I have seen staff undertake their mahi within the has been to ensure the safety and receive messages from children years context of broader society. Poverty, wellbeing of our members. They have later containing simple words like homelessness, intergenerational always experienced fairly high levels “Thank you, I am only here because trauma, social, political and economic of on-line and in-person abuse, which of you.” alienation are a blight on many of for many has increased significantly our communities. In these indicators, in recent days. Wrapping support I have witnessed Oranga Tamariki Māori are disproportionately around our members has been our members challenge other agencies represented. This is why Oranga focus, but it is also important to speak and systems, at personal cost, to get Tamariki interacts with whānau up and ensure their voices are heard. the best outcomes for children and to the degree it does. Until we as families. There are many selfless a society take the necessary steps As an organiser at OT, I have people doing incredible, albeit to eliminate these inequities and supported members through many invisible work out in the community. injustices, the problems will persist. dark places. Statutory social work is a complex and challenging Yet all is not perfect. The PSA has It must be acknowledged that our job. Difficult decisions are made advocated for years for social workers workplaces are manifestations of our daily, that will have life-changing to have time and resources to ensure communities. Both good and bad. implications for those involved. But the highest quality practice is Where racism exists in communities, they are not decisions that are made achieved. We are not there yet, but are it will manifest in workplaces. Oranga lightly, or in isolation from other making steps forward every day. Tamariki is no exception to this. We professionals. all have a part to play in recognising This issue cannot be overstated. this and ensuring systems and It can be beautiful, lifesaving and For a profession built on forging behaviour are subject to critical life enhancing work. This has not strong relationships in difficult reflection. been shared. I have seen social circumstances, having the time workers return children to whānau to do this well is critical. It is a Social workers have a responsibility

18 www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 Justice hui and a commitment to social justice and social change. It is embedded within our code of ethics and is an integral part of our role. It is a hard task - speaking out can be scary and leave people feeling vulnerable. We know that if social workers feel empowered they will speak out if they feel something is unjust. It is why we went into the profession to start with.

The PSA must continue to protect this space for our members. Social workers must have the freedom Inaugural Justice Hui a long to challenge systems, agencies, policies and their own organisation time in the making if outcomes for whānau are to be transformative. MĀORI STAFF FROM the Ministry Haerenga Committee, where the The media thus far has focused of Justice have finally had an Ministry and the PSA can engage too much on Oranga Tamariki, as opportunity to discuss their issues jointly and implement the strategy. if it alone can end the impacts of with senior management at the first hui of its kind in almost 20 years. Rūnanga delegate Michelle Beattie colonialism and inequality. There is says an event of this stature was long too much finger pointing and abuse The National Hui in Tauranga last overdue for Māori staff. of individuals. This is about all of us. month was the outcome of a PSA Our members want to be part of the bargaining claim lodged by the “The opportunity to portray their solution and there are few who are Justice Rūnanga Committee in 2018. issues, ideas and their contribution better equipped to lead this change. towards implementing Maori About 75 Māori staff from the initiatives, spoke volumes.” Puao-te-ata-tu, Te Tiriti and the PSA’s Ministry attended the hui to discuss own Kaupapa Māori principles are Te Haerenga, the Ministry’s Māori PSA national secretary Glenn Barclay spoke at the hui about how embedded within our collective strategy. members could get involved with agreement with Oranga Tamariki. They were able to raise issues kaupapa, including the Hāpaitia These require the promotion and directly with the Ministry’s chief Oranga Tangata justice review, empowerment of Māori voices executive around te reo, tikanga, public service reforms, and the PSA and leadership, recognition of Te Māori recruitment and retention, Rūnanga’s Mana Wahine Waitangi Ao Māori in everyday practice, building a network of Māori staff, Tribunal claim. and policies that acknowledge the and continuing engagement with systemic injustices Māori continue senior leadership. “It was great to hear firsthand the to face. Our members put these challenges facing frontline Māori principles into practice every day. MOJ Rūnanga Convenor Karley members at the Ministry. It is Nyman saw the hui as very positive. important their voices are also heard As the union for social workers we in the significant reviews affecting will continue to use our voice to “It was fantastic that we as Māori the justice sector and the public employees of the Ministry were able shape the future of the organisation. service,” he says. to take part in this hui! All attendees We hope our communities will join were on the same page, regarding The Māori Ministry of Justice staff us to have constructive, courageous issues we face daily.” are now looking forward to making conversations about how we want the the hui an annual event. future to look and how we might get Another outcome of PSA bargaining there. was the establishment of Te Na Paula Davis, PSA delegate

www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 19 Health review

Health workers want action on workforce capacity, conditions and culture

MORE THAN 800 PSA members unfilled vacancies, this prevents the ‘We need services that address have painted a grim picture of our remaining staff from providing high people's needs in a holistic way and health system in responses to a quality services, and it puts them respond to the person within their PSA survey – but they’ve also made at risk of burning out’ – one PSA cultural and social setting.’ another positive suggestions to overcome the member commented. member commented. challenges. While respondents recognised Infrastructure was also a concern, staffing couldn’t be fixed by The survey was designed to capture with calls to introduce an integrated “throwing more money at us”, they the voices of those on the frontlines, digital information sharing platform, called for improved pay rates and following Health Minister David and to improve communication conditions to improve staff retention. Clark’s announcement of a health between the health and disability and disability system review. References to undesirable working sectors’ various service providers and conditions were frequent, ranging agencies. OVERWORKED AND from complaints about relationships UNDERVALUED with management, to frustration at ‘Differing infrastructure means time lost chasing records and correcting Most members expressed concerns the poor quality of equipment and incorrect contact details.’ commented about staffing levels, with many resources. a PSA member. reporting teams could be under- INVESTING IN staffed for months or years. The survey results formed part of INFRASTRUCTURE AND a submission from the PSA to the A downward spiral of low staffing INCLUSION levels was frequently described Health and Disability System Review leading to increased workloads and A desire to improve health outcomes panel, which can be found at psa.org. pressure, which in turn led to staff for Māori, Pasefika and other nz/submissions. burnout, more staff leaving, and population groups prompted the An Interim Report from the Health further declining workforce numbers. PSA to ask members about their experiences providing culturally and Disability review panel is due Members also expressed frustration responsive and services. It revealed to be completed in August, with a at time limitations hindering their demand for more cultural support second phase of the review set to run ability to provide optimal care for and training. till November 2019. patients, and workloads so high they The PSA will continue to make our had no time for breaks. Members also called for a truly multi- cultural perspective to be integrated members’ voices heard loud and ‘When we are under-staffed due to into the health system. clear in the meantime.

20 www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 Pasefika Network

PSA Pasefika powers ahead The PSA Pasefika Network is reigniting with the endorsement of new principles at its National Fono in Wellington last month.

WHILE THE NETWORK was translating Ngā Kaupapa from Te devised to inform and educate originally formed in 2005, it has Rūnanga into the languages of the members and delegates, and primarily been left to co-convenor diverse Pasefika population. increase membership. Brian Palalagi and Pasefika organisers Stella Teariki and Duane A mission statement has also been While PSA Pasefika has 1,762 Leo to provide a Pasefika voice in the completed. members, there are currently almost PSA since that time. “The statement gives us relevance, 4,000 PSA members of Pasefika descent. But in the past two years the defines who we are within the Pasefika Network has been reviving PSA, and guides the work we do in “There has been a lack of contributing to the wellbeing of our and it now has an ambitious work connectivity of Pasefika members Pasefika workers,” Brian says. programme to help improve the within the PSA. We are reaching out working lives of Pasefika members. CONNECTING WITH now as a network to raise our profile and connect members back to the PAY GAP PRINCIPLES MEMBERS parent organisation and the wider Brian Palalagi says this includes the An engagement strategy has been union movement,” Brian says. development of Pasefika gender pay principles which apply a Pasefika lens to the Government’s gender pay principles. He says a top priority SAMOA LANGUAGE WEEK is raising awareness of this work Talofa Lava! amongst Pasefika workers. In the last week of May we celebrated Vaiaso o le Gagana - Samoa Language “With Pasefika women experiencing Week. the biggest pay gap in the Public Sector, we hope these principles will Gagana Samoa is the third most commonly spoken language in Aotearoa. help highlight this issue and the role Capital & Coast DHB member Mercy Brown has supplied us with two alagaupu the union is playing in addressing or proverbs which may be relevant to the work of our union. it,” says Brian. E pala le ma’a ae le pala le upu | Stones decay but words last The network is also working on PSA E le sua se lolo i se popo e tasi | One coconut is not enough to produce coconut oil Pasefika principles, which involves

www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 21 Arohatia Te Reo Te Reo Tax Triumph IT’S BEEN ALMOST 25 years since PSA member and IRD senior advisor Ian Procter took a claim to the Waitangi Tribunal challenging a legal requirement that taxpayers apply to keep their business records in te reo Māori.

Now a law has finally been passed enshrining the right to keep te reo Māori records, without it being at the discretion of the Inland Revenue Commissioner.

Mr Procter says he took the claim in Ian Procter's original 1995 letter to the 1990s on behalf of Te Kohanga the Waitangi Tribunal Reo, because the requirement breached treaty principles. But it was only recently that he was the growth of te reo as a universal “Previously English was determined advised informally of the new law. language.” to be the appropriate language to “While Māori was recognised as Revenue Minister use and everyone else had to apply. an official language some time says while it has long been Inland It was an affront that in their own ago, this is very positive progress Revenue’s operational practice to land Māori had to apply to use their own language, especially when we in recognising te reo as a legal allow tax records to be kept in te reo were trying to revitalise the reo.” language,” Mr Procter says. Māori, the new legislation enshrines that right. Mr Procter says the claim Wai477 Ngā Toa Āwhina Rūnanga member was never officially heard as Walter Kupa says the PSA Rūnanga “This bill addresses the growing attempts were made to negotiate acknowledges the law change. “It interest in using te reo as an a resolution to the issue over the took years of perseverance to get everyday language, including by years. there, but this change will enable business.”

Te Reo o Te Tari THIS ISSUE OF Working Life frontline of delivering services on taking part in language planning. introduces a series of columns on behalf of the Crown. Māori in the Office – Te Reo o Te Tari. So as we look ahead to Māori We begin the series with some mihi or Language Week from September The columns are part of the PSA’s Māori greetings you can use at work. 9-15 remember to celebrate Te Reo effort to tautoko the reo revitalisation The resource has been provided by in the workplace, at home, and in the strategy, Te Maihi Karauna. The Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori – the community. strategy highlights the important Māori Language Commission. It is role public servants have to play in an example of the resources it can ‘Ahakoa iti, akona, kōrerotia. Learn a revitalising te reo, as they are on the provide in support of organisations little. Use a little!

22 www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 02 NGĀ MIHI TE TARI TE REO O GREETINGS & SIGN-OFFS

Note that the Māori phrases provided are often not literal translations of the English terms given alongside them. Rather, they are equivalent ways of expressing the same ideas.

Ngā mihi | Greetings Tēnā koe Dear Sir/Madam The following are examples E te rangatira, tēnā koe Dear Sir/Madam of suitable greetings in correspondence Tēnā anō koe Greetings again

Tēnā koe i roto i ngā āhuatanga Greetings to you and the i te wā circumstances of the time

Kia ora Hello/Hi

Kia ora rā Hello/Hi

Kia ora anō rā Hello/Hi again

He whakakapinga | Sign offs Me mutu pea i konei I’ll leave it there The following expressions are Kua rahi tēnei That’s enough for now suitable ways of ending the main part of a letter before the Kāti ake i konei Let’s leave it there for now concluding salutation. (In Māori there are perfectly polite and do Ka nui tēnei That’s it for now not seem abrupt, as might their literal English translation) Ā kāti Let’s leave it there

He mihi whakakapi | Noho ora mai rā Look after yourself Concluding salutations Hei konā mai Goodbye for now The following are suitable salutations to conclude Hei konā mai me ngā mihi Thanks and goodbye correspondence Kia kōrero anō au i a koe Until I hear from you again

Māu au e whakamōhio mai Let me know

Ngā mihi Thanks

Nāku, nā Yours faithfully, [NAME]

Nāku noa, nā Yours sincerely, [NAME]

tetaurawhiri.govt.nz

www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 23 Health & Safety

West Coast leads the way on Health & Safety What do an open-cast coal mine, a secure mental health unit, a forest, an NGO, and West Coast’s Shantytown theme park have in common?

THEY ALL HAVE newly trained health Trainer Ann Horner allowed the seeming futility of their efforts to and safety representatives, thanks to conversation to flow so people could mitigate it, left them with a sense of the PSA and Worksafe Reps. share experiences on topics including trauma. lone and remote workers, drug/ In April, the PSA Westland office impairment testing, heavy vehicles, The issues are endless... are we hosted a two-day health and safety high-risk environments, violence prepared for the slumbering giant training course run by Worksafe Reps. against staff, protected disclosures called the alpine fault? What and whistleblowing. provisions exist in collective The atmosphere was charged with agreements for extreme events, when knowledge that significant changes to As an organiser, the course reinforced you can’t attend work, or it is unsafe our health and safety legislation had my duty to care and ensure members’ to do so? How do you assess the followed the tragedies at Cave Creek workplaces have well-functioning risks for care and support workers in and Pike River. health and safety committees, worker people’s homes? How do we reduce It can be difficult to organise quality participation agreements, and elected the potential for harm in cases of training in far flung places, and costly health and safety reps in workplaces sickness, or absences caused by the to send staff away for courses, so of 15 or more staff. stress of excessive workloads or negative behaviours? having an organisation like Worksafe It got me thinking about other Reps willing to adapt and deliver the responsibilities too, for both It’s a journey as challenging as our training locally, was a real bonus. individuals and employers, such as geography, but the destination is Word of the course was spread up and when staff or volunteers are exposed the same, our rights as workers and down the coast ensuring a diverse to psychological harm. I’d already citizens to be protected from harm range of attendees from the health been hearing from friends who had and to work in healthy and safe and disability, mining, forestry, public help cleaning up after the Fox River conditions. service and tourism sectors. landfill had been exposed. The scale of the environmental disaster, and Na Paul Kearns, West Coast organiser

24 www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 Health & Safety

Health & Safety Star

ENSURING THE SAFE disposal of hazardous chemicals at Christchurch Men’s Prison has helped earn Hamish Thomasson the title of Department of Corrections Southern Region Health and Safety Representative of the Year.

After noticing substances including floor cleaners and dishwashing chemicals were “just being thrown in the bin”, the PSA member and health and safety rep undertook an audit of chemicals used in the prison kitchen.

“From the bins, the chemical would go into landfill and be a danger to marine life, which was not good for ensure they disposed of chemicals high safety risks including kitchen the ecosystem,” Hamish says. appropriately. work, horticulture, farming, timber processing and painting. He created a new storage area Hamish is known as an ‘Offender for the chemicals, educated staff Employment Star’ because he has His award nomination describes and prisoners about the dangers also improved safety for staff and him as ‘extremely passionate’ and a associated with them, and alerted prisoners, who undertake training at champion for health and safety in kitchen staff at other sites to the prison in employment areas with the workplace. Why choose Worksafe Reps for Health &Safety Training?

WORKSAFE REPS WAS established says Worksafe Reps national director Worksafe Reps is developing a course by the PSA and other unions to Peter Scanlan. on the prevention of workplace provide courses in workplace health bullying, and other hot topics and safety. Once reps complete the course including the prevention of fatigue and achieve the Unit Standard for shift workers. It is a union-based organisation 29315, they are able to have which deliberately delivers training serious health and safety concerns Their courses are delivered by highly from a worker perspective. registered with Worksafe NZ, who qualified and experienced trainers, can then investigate and issue an in partnership with the Open Worksafe Rep’s two-day Stage 1 improvement notice if warranted. Polytechnic. course explains the duties of health and safety reps, and the Health & “PSA members might ask what can National secretary Glenn Barclay Safety at Work Act. go wrong in an office? But health and is a Worksafe Reps board member, safety reps can also raise concerns ensuring the PSA voice is heard at “The legislation was devised in about matters relating to health board level. the wake of the Pike River tragedy and well-being, including bullying, to give more power to workers to harassment, and psychological Register or call for more information raise concerns without fear it could harm,” says Peter. about the courses, which can be run adversely affect their employment,” around the country as well as online.

www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 25 Eco Network

CPOW! Climate Proof Our Work A GLOBAL DAY of action The PSA has already been Aotearoa and the world in the past encouraging us to climate proof taking additional steps towards few months. our workplaces generated plenty climate proofing its own offices, Unions including the PSA will be of interest from PSA Eco Network and developing policies on supporting further action for the members on June 26. sustainability, procurement, and climate on September 27, called for environmentally-friendly and by environmental activist Greta We asked members to invite ethical investments. employers to discuss how their Thunberg. organisations can lower emissions, The Eco Network has made a prepare for change and ensure a just submission to the Executive Board transition for workers. Briar Wyatt on the investment policy. JOIN THE NETWORK from Auckland Council says her “The Board was really receptive to The Eco Network is for members meeting was super productive. our ideas. It was a great example of interested in building union activity “We ended up deciding to create people power in action,” says Eco around environmental issues in the an internal memo that guides how Network member Samuel Cussen. workplace and beyond. Interest our departments could take climate is growing, with expressions of interest in leadership roles. Go to change into account. That’s an CLIMATE STRIKE MyPSA and add the network if you exciting work in progress now!” The PSA and the Eco Network have would like to join, or email eco@ supported the School Strike for CLIMATE PROOFING THE psa.org.nz. Read more about us Climate, which has seen thousands here www.psa.org.nz/eco PSA of students on the streets of

26 www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 Just Transitions

‘We all have a role to play’

Speakers at a top-level summit on ROLE OF UNIONS The CTU’s Sam Huggard welcomed Just Transitions have highlighted the the Taranaki 2050 roadmap, saying PSA national secretaries Glenn role unions, members, and others can it showed the Government is willing Barclay and Kerry Davies agree, we play to ensure New Zealand moves to back the transition with practical all have a role to play to achieve a towards a sustainable future. initiatives to diversify. low emissions future. The summit was held in Taranaki in Liana Poutou, from Te Atiawa in “Our role as union members should Taranaki, put the pressing need for May to bring everyone together to be to further strengthen our voice change perfectly, ‘there’s nothing devise a roadmap to achieve a new and influence in reaching a just like a good deadline to get things kind of economy, that combines transition.” sustainability with decent and well- moving.’ paying jobs. Former South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill called for NEXT STEPS shareholders and workers to put SUPPORTED TRANSITION Across the two-day event, topics pressure on employer investments. discussed included technology The PSA was represented at the event, development, research and along with unions and representatives He acknowledged the role of unions innovation, education to develop from business, local government, iwi saying, ‘It’s two-fold. Members need skills to match emerging market and other sectors from New Zealand to demand their employers start changes, and more efficiency across and abroad. making these changes, while union leaders pressure Government.’ the board. CTU Secretary Sam Huggard says Increased investment in sustainable the provision of good jobs and secure TARANAKI CASE STUDY ventures was identified as a incomes in industries which are good Taranaki hosted the summit, and keystone of change. If viable returns for the planet is part of the solution. was used as a case study, due to its can be established in this area, heavy economic reliance on the “The essence of a just transition is it would eventually become self- fossil fuel and dairy industries. simple – the costs of the necessary perpetuating. changes to ensure a more stable While opening the summit, Prime The initial divestment from current climate must be spread evenly Minister Jacinda Ardern announced portfolios of investments such as amongst us.” a $27m initial investment in the fossil fuels is seen as the hardest region, to establish a clean energy step in the process. “Important for working Kiwis is a plan centre, with another $20M allotted to support them through change.” in the recent budget. MBIE has established a Just Transitions Unit to coordinate He says the plan should include “The importance of ensuring a the transition to a low emissions support for people as they transition sustainable and just transition to a economy. into new work, including job lower emission New Zealand cannot placement, retraining, and income be overstated,” the Prime Minister For more information you can visit support. said. www.mbie.govt.nz/just-transition

www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 27 UnionAID

When we all clap together only then will they hear us.

UnionAID, the New Zealand union movement’s international development charity, is this year celebrating its 10th anniversary of supporting working people in developing countries in their struggle for decent wages and a life free of poverty. Here is the story of Pancha, one of the many workers whose life has been transformed through the power of collective action and the support of UnionAID.

IN A BARREN fenced off area on the - something she never thought she Pancha’s story shows unions have fringe of her small Tamil township in could do as a both a Dalit and a the power to tackle the inequalities Nadu, India, Pancha tends carefully woman. that keep working men and women to a cremation pit, readying it for its trapped in poverty. It is a power that next use. As a Dalit, Pancha was born WORKER RECOGNITION she knows well. When asked why with the duty of cremation work. It she chose to join the union 10 years The collective strength of the union is tough work she and her husband ago her answer is simply “When we has seen cremation workers officially carry out with dignity. They would all clap together, only then will they recognised by the government, typically earn less than $NZ2 for hear us.” issued with ID cards and all the the 24 hours it takes to complete a rights - including access to public cremation. healthcare - that come with that. Recently the PSA Executive Pancha’s working life might seem Pancha and other cremation agreed to support UnionAID with a world apart from that of PSA workers successfully bargained an annual donation of $3,000 a members here in Aotearoa but there with the district council to set pay year for the next ten years. This is an important link between her and rates for cremation work and raise funding will enable it to grow the our union through UnionAID. these each year. Other cremation support it gives to partners like workers in Madurai City successfully the Tamil Nadu Labour Union When UnionAID’s partner, the campaigned to become council and the important work they Tamil Nadu Labour union started employees with monthly salaries. establishing a union for cremation are doing. Many PSA staff and workers nearly 10 years ago, Pancha The extra income has helped Pancha members also support UnionAID took the brave step to join. With send her oldest son Shankar to through monthly donations training and support, she has teacher college. After years studying and you can learn more about become a district leader, speaking under the light of the nearby railway UnionAID’s work and how to at public rallies and taking the station he is now pursuing his donate at www.unionaid.org.nz union’s demands to local officials passion as an art teacher.

28 www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 Around & about

OUT@PSA flew the flag proudly for the PSA at the Pride Parade in Wellington A new and refreshed Deaf and Disabled Network committee met in Wellington in May.

Canterbury DHB members from the Medical Records team got into the Access members Palmerston North Protest spirit of Admin Appreciation Day in April

The PSA Executive Board at the launch of the new Public Service reforms Community and Public Services Sector Committee Meeting in Wellington

www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 29 Music Review ‘It’s like whistling a happy tune as the ship goes down.’

Office Politicsis the twelfth studio fans have come to appreciate from Book your place on the hamster wheel album by the Devine Comedy, a band previous albums. Absolutely Obsolete See that PowerPoint presentation from Northern Ireland formed some is a song about the zero-hour world Worthy of a BAFTA nomination 30 years ago. Neil Hannon, the lead of work, where your identity is Zero hours, maximum pressure and only constant member of the no longer bound to your lifetime You know what they say about band says “The central characters vocation- because there are hardly business and pleasure’ in Office Politics are the machines. any lifetime vocations any more. Machines that do this, machines that You’ll Never Work In This Town Again Bitingly smart wordplay makes us do that. Machines that will smother explores the contradiction between laugh. Catchy harmonies make us us all in our sleep.” the desire for automation and the tap our feet. Yet it is also an album unemployment which results. And do that puts the finger on the negative It’s a record steeped in ambivalence the lyrics of Office Politics resonate in impacts on the ‘lowly cog in the about the depersonalised nature one way or another? machine’ who is still called a ‘vital of the human experience in member of the team’. today’s world of work, workplace ‘Intern chokes on his gooseberry fool humiliations and gross inequities Consternation in the typing pool Nā Andrea Fromm, PSA Policy garnished with humour and hooks Press the flesh, do the deal Advisor

Looking ahead to local government elections

As we look ahead to local authority The well-being aspects were removed of the wider functions of local and DHB elections later this year, in 2012 and replaced with a narrow government, and encourages the PSA welcomes law changes that purpose of local government democratic participation at a local reinstate social, environmental, focussing on efficiency. level - especially considering the economic, and cultural well-being upcoming local body elections,” says into the Local Government Act. “We hope this promotes recognition PSA national secretary Glenn Barclay.

LOCAL AUTHORITY ELECTIONS KEY DATES:

July 19-August 16 Nominations open for candidates September 20-25 Voting documents delivered to households. Postal voting begins October 12 Polling Day – voting closes 12 noon For advice for local government members considering standing or campaigning go to: www.psa.org.nz/at-work/our-sectors/local-government/psa-lg-election- advice

30 www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 At the of the hospital www.psa.org.nz/equalpay

WORTH DHB Administration and Clerical Workers are 10 0 % Same value. Same pay.

www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019 31 plus oliday homes apartments

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32 www.psa.org.nz Working Life July 2019