Working Life THE PSA JOURNAL JULY 2018

LIVING WAGE MANA WAHINE EQUAL PAY FOR DHB ADMIN WORKERS BETTER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES NOW Winter can be tough PSA Health Plan can help... With reimbursements towards GP visits, prescription costs, vaccinations and more - the plans are: º Day to Day medical reimbursement plans which include cover for all pre-existing medical conditions after serving short wait periods*

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Additional benefits are available if you combine either Primary Care or Primary Care Extra with a Hospital Cover plan – to find out more, call 0800 268 3763 or visit: www.psa.org.nz/plus * Policy terms and conditions apply contents 8-9 Living Wage Working Life: The new bottom line the PSA Journal Working Life is published quarterly. 10-11 12-13 14-15 Views and opinions expressed in Mana Wahine Equal Pay claim Mental Health Working Life do not necessarily equality for for DHB admin now is the time represent PSA policy. Māori women workers for better services Editor: Stephen Olsen. Design & layout: Dan Phillips. 5 Wheels of change Contributors: Ben Aulakh, Susannah Bailey, Peter Griffin, the first six months True Hayes, Tania Te Whenua, under Labour Jem Yoshioka. Printing: Webstar, Masterton. PSA Executive Board 7 Policy setting Janet Quigley (president), at the top table Kathy Higgins, Caroline Fisher, Benedict Ferguson, Jacky Maaka, Gail Arthur, Marshall Tangaroa, 24 Challenging theatre Lesley Dixon, Pania Love, with a workplace twist Erin Polaczuk and Glenn Barclay. PSA contact details PSA, PO Box 3817, Wellington. Regulars Freephone 0508 FOR PSA (0508 367 772). 4 President's message 22 The Workplace Email [email protected]. 16 - 17 Industrial update The working week NZDF victory 23 Behind The Scenes 18 - 19 International Comics and politics Thailand, PSI, May Day 26 Networks 20 Connected Eco, snapshots Privacy protections 28 Around & About 21 On The Job A life on the 30 Last word ocean waves Turning back time

On the cover PSA National Secretary Glenn Barclay helping out at a Living Wage stall.

www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 3 President's message

THE RANGE AND PACE of activity I was in the gallery at Parliament occurring across all of the sectors when it passed its second reading on covered by the PSA is picking up its 13 June and it was gratifying to hear intensity in 2018. MPs give acknowledgements of the part PSA played in this being taken As being played out daily in the public forward - led by former PSA president arena and media, the challenges Paula Scholes. Thank you so much for unions are both demanding and Paula. exciting. The current Government is setting an ambitious agenda and is If enacted this piece of legislation will presenting significant opportunities support victims of domestic violence for the PSA to engage with to directly to remain in paid employment by benefit all members (see facing page). providing 10 days paid leave a year, allowing time for attending court, Priorities such as our work on equal commended HPHE for creating “a meeting with support groups or pay remain constant, and are in step platform to establish change”. just being with children or family with issues we have repeatedly been A highly valued aspect of the PSA that members who may need extra care. at the forefront of over the 105 years I always draw members’ attention to since the PSA was founded. is the strength of our network groups A key event coming up in the next for connecting you to other members quarter of the year is the PSA It is heartening to observe and with similar interests or issues across Congress. Held every second year this celebrate the diversity of societal the union as a whole. is set to take place in Wellington on and industrial breakthroughs that 25-26 September. It will draw your often take years and decades of Planning for the next Women’s PSA delegates from all over the dedicated effort to achieve. As an Network conference, which I am country together to focus on the example I along with other union supporting, is well underway for future of our union, as well as on representatives and the National 16-17 August. A recent highlight the theme of the future of work in a Council of Women, attended the for the network was an opportunity rapidly changing world. launch of the NZ Football pay parity to meet with Government MP Jan event in May where the ‘playing field’ Logie who spoke about her Domestic Kia pai tou tatou Matariki between women and men in that Violence—Victims' Protection Bill. Janet Quigley sport was made more equal. If football can do it so can we!

One of the ongoing areas of PSA work that is quietly but steadily gaining more traction is the trust and effectiveness strand of our Transforming Our Workplaces agenda.

Proof that High Performance High Engagement practices can make a real and lasting difference, for instance, won recognition this year at the South Canterbury DHB with an award presented to PSA members Maureen Chamberlain and Jo Hunter and NZNO member Chris Gloag for their joint project mahi (see also our Standing together: Members of the PSA Women's Network heard from Green Party MP in News in Brief on page 6). SCDHB June on a wide range of topics including the progress of the Domestic Violence - Victims' Protection chief executive Nigel Trainor has Bill through Parliament, and the Law Society’s survey of bullying and harassment in the legal industry.

4 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 Setting the Scene The wheels of change are turning

OVER THE FIRST SIX MONTHS of key challenges facing the economy 2018 it seems seldom a day has gone including technological change POISED FOR ACTION by without announcements from and the transition to a low carbon As Working Life was going to the Beehive pointing to adjusted economy. press PSA members at MBIE directions and major reviews. 2018 BUDGET and Inland Revenue were being The implications of the prospective balloted for their support for changes being set in motion by the Amidst all the activity related to work stoppages in July. The Government have huge potential reviews (almost 40 of them by potential action was driven by and significance for PSA members the Government's own estimate), high frustration across factors across all of our sectors for the short, this year's Budget had relatively such as slow and unfair pay medium and long-term. low visibility. CTU economist Bill progression and pay offers Rosenberg characterised it as a "stop below increases in cost of living. There have been so many the bleeding" Budget. An intention to announcements that it's important take a well-being approach to Budget not to lose sight of them all. 2019 was signalled and the Budget FAIR PAY AGREEMENTS speech on 17 May focused strongly SETTING EXPECTATIONS on the theme of rebuilding core On 5 June Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Iain Lees-Galloway Going back to April, an important public services. named former Prime Minister Jim initial cornerstone was set in WELFARE GROUP Bolger as the head of a team that the form of the Government will make recommendations on Expectations on Employment On 28 May Social Development the design of a Fair Pay Agreement Relations in the State Sector which Minister announced system by the end of 2018. Lees- embed the role of "effective and an expert advisory group "to support Galloway: “The aim of FPAs is the overhaul of the welfare system" productive realtionships with to prevent a race to the bottom." unions" in giving employees a voice and to deliver its advice by February The PSA response was that last in their workplace. This had been 2019. The 11-member group is being year’s $2 billion care and support agreed as policy by Cabinet in March chaired by Professor Cindy Kiro, a settlement was, in many ways, a Fair and replaced in its entirety the former Children's Commissioner. Pay Agreement – and one that has Government Expectations for Pay One way the PSA is proposing to enjoyed huge public support. and Employment Conditions set by provide the Group with the input of the previous Government in May frontline perspectives and voices is Also in June State Services 2012. through a worker panel. Minister announced implementation of the Living Wage Given the scale of bargaining this HEALTH SECTOR REVIEW across core public services. year the very real challenge is On Health Minister David to break down resistance to the 29 May A FULL YEAR AHEAD Clark announced a major review expectations set by Government. into the New Zealand Health and The wheels of change are not slowing FUTURE WORK FORUM Disability Sector to identify changes down. The reconvened Joint Working that could improve the performance, Group on Pay Equity Principles On 3 May the Prime Minister structure, and fairness of the sector. will be given a boost in July, a new announced the formation of a Ministry of Housing and Urban tripartite Future Work Forum to The deadline for an interim report Development is being established be led by Finance Minister Grant by an expert review panel chaired by and a programme of potentially Robertson alongside CTU president Heather Simpson is July 2019, with ground-shifting legislative changes is Richard Wagstaff and Business NZ's a final report expected by January likely to expand further before year's Kirk Hope. The forum will examine 2020. end.

www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 5 NEWS IN BRIEF

HEALTH AND SAFETY PLUS A WIN FOR HPHE AT SCDHB The PSA played a prominent role in an inaugural Congratulations to PSA members Maureen public service wide health and safety conference in May. Chamberlain, Anaesthetic Technician, and Jo Hunter, In the awards section of the event PSA member Claire Medical Secretary, for the award they shared recently for Wooldridge Way, who works in the Department of ground-breaking work on embedding High Performance Conservation's Wairau Office won both the Spirit of Service High Engagement at South Canterbury DHB. Employee Representative of the Year and the overall Four projects are being progressed: the surgical journey, Supreme Award. This recognised Claire's work after the mental health and addictions, leave management and an Kaikoura Earthquake. information services strategy.

WIN FOR ANAESTHETIC CAPABILITY FUNDS ARE TECHNICIANS CATCHING ON Anaesthetic technicians employed at the South The Department of Internal Affairs has had a capability Canterbury DHB are now being paid at the minimum fund since 2015, agreed between DIA and PSA in the form wage for the time they spend on call but not called in. of a transportable education fund that only PSA members As reported in the December 2017 edition of Working can access. The way the fund works is that members can Life the DHB applied to appeal the decision made by the make applications to a panel composed of delegates, a Employment Court but this was declined by the Court of manager rep and an HR rep for purposes such as attending Appeal in April. PSA Assistant National Secretary Warwick conferences, leadership development and learning such Jones: "The Employment Court's decision recognised that as tertiary studies. Inland Revenue are about to adopt this while they were on duty their time was not their own. member-only benefit as well - under the name PSAchieve This decision has recognised the important work our - as a tangible way to support and improve the working life members do." of PSA union members.

High profile at allied health conference

THE PSA HAD a strong presence at the Allied Health, Scientific and Technical Conference on 10-11 May at Te Papa - both in terms of presenters speaking to vital health issues and having a promotional stand for engagement and recruitment.

Impressively, more than half of the speakers/ poster presenters Also at the conference was PSA represented an opportunity to were PSA members, including member Rose Henderson, also learn from “amazing people about Jacqui Turner pictured, at right, of Canterbury DHB, who spoke completely different work you can with supportive Canterbury DHB on the topic of adapting to take away and apply. It's really rich colleague Rosemary Eyres. change. Rose says the conference intelligence.”

6 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 Policy setting Gathering at the top table

PRIME MINISTER and three members of her Cabinet - , Chris Hipkins and Iain Lees-Galloway - took part in a CTU-convened event at PSA House on 28 May to talk about a shared vision for New Zealand.

The Prime Minister's first comment was that while "being in Government is hard", there was a determination to "keep our eye on the long-term and not lose sight of priority areas." She underlined the importance of the Tax Working Group chaired by the Hon Sir Michael Cullen, which is due to Ministers Iain Lees-Galloway (Workplace Relations and Safety, Immigration, ACC) and Chris Hipkins make its interim report by September (State Services, Education) with PSA president Janet Quigley and National Secretaries Erin Polaczuk and Glenn Barclay at PSA House in May. this year and its final report in February 2019.

On topics of legislation Minister Hipkins noted that one of the drawbacks of the existing State Sector Act is that it has created a "fragmented public service". He acknowledged a need for a culture change towards a more joined-up public service, adding "I'm keen to know about sticking points." SUBMISSIONS MATTER Among submissions the PSA has made to Parliamentary committees so far this year, two of special note In April the PSA held a popular lunchtime seminar on the Tax Working Group Te Awheawhe Tāke (TWG), with Bill Rosenberg, TWG member and CTU economist, and Andrea Black, independent were submissions on bills affecting advisor to the TWG. Local Government and Employment Relations. when the time came to speak to the Alex: “I was quite daunted by the PSA submission on the Employment occasion but the PSA team had me A main objective of the Local Relations Bill in May. It was a first ready and raring to go. Government (Community Well-being) time experience for both. Amendment Bill, supported by PSA, “I've always been passionate about is to restore “the purpose of local Paula: “As a PSA member and workers' rights and fairness, so I'd government to be to promote the delegate, I felt very honoured to have made a personal submission about social, economic, environmental, and the opportunity to contribute to the my experience of 90-day trial periods cultural well-being of communities.” legislative process. It was a rewarding and discrimination against union PSA members Paula Pereda -Perez experience. Having better laws is the members. I hoped that my stories and Alex Mitcalfe Wilson assisted first step to having a better society”. would help make a difference.”

www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 7 Living Wage

A new bottom line for the public service

FRIDAY 15 JUNE became an historic State Services Minister Chris Hipkins Zealand and 61 percent of the mean day for the lowest paid workers in stated the move to the Living Wage disposable income for households the core public service when the would be a one-off adjustment and with two adults and two children. announcement was made that all in future years will be “subject to The network of organisations employees have the right to be paid bargaining between employers and promoting the living wage have been at least a Living Wage. unions such as the PSA”. very clear that the Living Wage is This step marks improved pay for quite separate from the compulsory more than 1000 PSA members and This is a function of the statutory minimum was a move that the PSA pushed for wage. A 75 cent increase was made to during the 2017 election campaign. big win for the the minimum wage rate in December with the current Government As announced, the new hourly rate public service, committing to a long-term target of of $20.55 – or annualised equivalent increasing it to $20 by 2021. of $42,744 – includes full-time, PSA and Living According to Living Wage Aotearoa, part-time and casual employees and the new independently calculated will be implemented by a one-off Wage movement.” Living Wage rate (see facing adjustment in pay with effect by page) results in a closing of the 1 September 2018. Glenn Barclay: “The next challenge gap between it and the statutory is to ensure this is embedded in National Secretary Glenn Barclay: Minimum Wage of $16.50 from nearly collective employment agreements 30% to 24.5%. Without the Families “This is a big win for the PSA and and to achieve that, we need to show Package the new calculations of the the Living Wage movement. It is solidarity and support for each other Living Wage could have been almost a heartening change for many of across agencies.” $2 an hour higher. the public service’s lowest paid employees in their struggle to earn It is now estimated the Living Another ongoing and important enough to feed families, pay bills and Wage sits at 73 percent of median frontier for growing the Living Wage save for retirement.” disposable household income in New is the Local Government sector.

8 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 Living Wage Calculating the Living Wage

THIS YEAR’S RE-SETTING of the Living Wage from $20.20 to $20.55 marked the fifth year since the original living wage calculation of $18.40 and was subject to a five year measurement review.

Social policy researcher Charles Waldegrave, often described as a tireless chronicler of poverty in New Zealand, led the review with associates Peter King and Michaela Urbanova for the Living Wage Movement Aotearoa NZ, of which PSA is an active member.

LIVING WAGE DEFINED Members and supporters of the Living Wage Aotearoa movement in a celebratory mood. From left The movement’s definition of a to right: Stella Teariki, Pat Bolster, Marlon Drake, Lyndy McIntyre, Adam Awad, Rebecca Matthews- Heron, Paul Barber, Fleur Fitzsimons, Ibrahim Omer. Living Wage is that it represents “the income necessary to provide workers emphasis on direct costs has been the basic necessities, and needs and their families with the basic extended to estimates for household to embrace things like “having a necessities of life. A living wage will energy, health, communication and computer in the home and being able enable workers to live with dignity education. Estimates for another six and to participate as active citizens to mix with friends recreationally, items of spending remain anchored in society.” albeit modestly”. to data in the Household Economic The Living Wage is directed at lifting Survey (HES). It observes that New Zealand is a the incomes of low paid workers in “laggard in wage levels” and cites the context of a two adult, two child A WEEKLY BUDGET the 40% of children in poverty who household where there are 60 hours have at least one adult in their family The estimate of a household’s weekly of employment. This modeling is in in full-time employment or self- budget needs arrived at by the new line with research in other countries employed as “an important context review was $1,169 a week or an where living wages are important for a living wage movement.” annual total of $60,784, which in turn standards for worker well-being. required an annual gross income of FIVE YEARLY REVIEWS $64,059 across two adults over 60 Sweet as in Dunedin hours per week. The original premise for the rate In another milestone for the in New Zealand was that it should The review report of 46 pages has Living Wage movement the Otago relate primarily to movements in succinct summaries of each itemised Chocolate Company (OCHO) wages with a five yearly review to expenditure category. Rent is the became the 100th accredited allow new data and information biggest weekly item at $332, followed Living Wage Employer in New by food at $212 and transport at to be used to refine its carefully Zealand in June. The list, which $131.56. constructed calculations. includes the PSA and a wide range ‘Needs-based’ estimates for food and The report points out that of community organisations, keeps rent costs were possible from the participation as active citizens growing at livingwage.org.nz outset and through this review an is about more than surviving on

www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 9 TeTe RūnangaRūnanga Mana Wahine In an exciting development Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina - as the body representing Māori members of the PSA - is on track to become a Principal Claimant in the Waitangi Tribunal's WAI 2700 Mana Wahine Kaupapa inquiry. Lawyer Tania Te Whenua sets out some wider background context to this.

WHILST THE CAMPAIGN for shows Māori service providers gender equity in employment languishing at the bottom of the gathers increasing momentum, for As a society rung. As an example mainstream women who experience additional early childhood education centres discrimination simply by being receive a 20-hour funding subsidy of Māori the fight for equal treatment in we continue up to $12.01 per hour per full-time employment has just begun. enrolment Māori early childhood to turn a blind education centres (kōhanga reo) Statistics demonstrating inequities receive only $8.76 per full time faced generally by women in eye to overt equivalent, almost 30% less. This the workplace have been well is a difference which whānau are documented. inequities.” overwhelmingly unable to make up As set out in a submission made by leaving the predominantly female the CTU Women's Council to the kōhanga reo staff obliged to work for UN Committee on the Convention Pay and represented to the Waitangi minimum wages. on the Elimination of All Forms Tribunal's Mana Wahine Kaupapa The racially discriminatory of Discrimination against Women Inquiry earlier this year bring the application of funding by the (CEDAW) last year "The lack of inequities into stark relief by noting Crown is not limited to chronically enforcement of the right of equal that: “Research which focuses on underpaid industries such as care pay to work of equal value results inequity suffered by women is in and education. Even the Māori Land in not only low wages but poor reality a focus on Pākehā women. Court receives the lowest funding of employment conditions, gender- all judicial bodies and by legislative “This masks the compounding based discrimination, lack of career determination a judge of the Māori discrimination suffered by women and promotional opportunities. Land Court is entitled to the lowest who are also Māori… whereas Pākehā salary of all judicial officers. “Low pay puts families under pressure women earn 15% less than their male and creates a new group of working counterparts, wāhine Māori earn 27% It is also worth noting that 25 years poor.” less than Pākehā men. In dollar terms after the centenary of women's suffrage was celebrated, a point made Survey upon survey reveal the once this is a difference of a whopping back in 1993 by authors Lisa Davies insidious bias faced by women in $8.89 per hour. The take home point and Natalie Jackson is just as relevant employment as an inescapable truth. being that wāhine Māori do not today, namely that “…after [over] one Yet, as a society we continue to turn a simply earn less than Pākehā men and hundred years of contribution to blind eye to overt inequities faced by women, they earn significantly less...” the economic development of New Māori workers. In addition a consideration of the Zealand, the employment status of Work done by groups like the full range of tables disclosing Crown Māori women does not equal that of Coalition for Equal Value and Equal funding to public service providers Pākehā women.”

10 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 Te Rūnanga

What is astounding is the Crown’s inert acceptance of its role in influencing this disparity. The Kaupapa Inquiry Programme The Waitangi Tribunal set a framework for its Kaupapa Inquiry HOLDING THE CROWN Programme in 2015 with the intent of providing "a pathway for the hearing ACCOUNTABLE of nationally significant claim issues that affect Māori as a whole or a section of Māori in similar ways." At the time, Tribunal chair Chief Judge For this reason, the Rūnanga of the Wilson Isaac noted this was the first new programme initiated by the PSA (Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Awhina) Tribunal in the last 20 years, and that it signalled a "determination to and CTU (Te Rūnanga o Ngā Kaimahi provide access to justic for all claimants." Māori o Aotearoa) are currently on the cusp of joining the Waitangi One of the founding claims in the present Mana Wahine Kaupapa Tribunal kaupapa inquiry into issues Inquiry dates back to 1993 when a group of Māori women submitted a affecting Māori women (the Mana claim to the Waitangi Tribunal (the Mana Wahine claim) alleging that the Wahine Inquiry) to hold the Crown Crown's actions and policies since 1840 have systematically discriminated accountable for failing in their role against Māori women, depriving them of their spiritual, cultural, social as funder, procurer and regulator of and economic well-being which is protected by the Treaty of Waitangi. employers, as well as a significant It was originally lodged by the late Dame Mira Szazy, along with another employer itself, to proactively former Maori Women's Welfare League President, Dame Whina Cooper, influence employment conditions Lady Rose Henare, Dr Irihapeti Ramsden, and representing the younger and actively protect wāhine generation of the time, Donna Awatere, Ripeka Evans and Paparangi Reid. Māori workers from inequities in employment. The Crown for its part have made He Reo Wāhine an early acknowledgement within Did you know that in the same year the inquiry that “…employment that New Zealand women won the issues (including pay equity and pay right to vote, two Kāi Tahu women gaps) are also priority issues for this from Taumutu addressed a petition Government” and have intimated to their representative, the MHR that those representing wāhine Māori for Southern Māori, H.K. Taiaroa, voices such as Te Rūnanga could be praying for relief? invited to dialogue directly to help As documented in He Reo Wāhine shape Crown policy on these issues. (AUP 2017) these women are just This presents a massive opportunity a few of the hundreds of Māori for Te Rūnanga to influence change petitioners who addressed the state on behalf of its wāhine Māori during the nineteenth century, including around 145 women who members. about petitions and their strong role appealed for remedies to injustices in the history of citizenship in a Public This has the potential to set a strong visited on their communities and History talk that was Recorded at precedent for addressing similar families. the National Library of New Zealand issues affecting tāne Māori, being The book was co-authored by Dr on 4 April this year. She described reminiscent of the courageous words Angela Wanhalla, who teaches at the petitions as both political acts of Te Hōnore Dame Tariana Tūria: the University of Otago, and Māori- and as a "significant body of Māori “We must always be prepared to language scholar and historian, writing". The talk can be listened to at speak up and speak out about things Lachy Paterson. Dr Wanhalla spoke newzealandhistory.podbean.com which in the end affect all of us.”

www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 11 Equal Pay Equal pay claim endorsed by members across all DHBs

AN IMPORTANT TURN was taken in the long and winding road to equal pay for DHB administration and clerical workers on 18 April.

This was the day that PSA members raised an equal pay claim with DHBs across the country, with the neat coincidence that it was also Administrative Workers' Appreciation Day.

OVERLOOKED FOR TOO LONG PSA National Secretary Erin Polaczuk says the claim, raised under the Cath Jackson, representing DHBs as TAS/ Shared Services Employment Relations director, receives process recommended by the Joint the PSA Claim for the Implementation of Equal Pay from PSA member Anne Shanks, a DHB Medical Working Group on Pay Equity Typist (right) and PSA campaigner Jo Taylor (middle). Principles, is about "ending the fight clerical work is further affected by historian Sarah Christie into the way for equal pay once and for all." it not being seen as being central to that the history of clerical work can Polaczuk: "DHB clerical and the delivery of direct patient care. shed light on the general pattern of administration staff - around 90 Other points made in the claim are 'women's work' and the impact this has percent of whom are women - keep that gender pay inequality is kept had on wage levels (see opposite page). the health system running. They 'hidden' by a lack of transparency keep the system on its feet, and the in remuneration structures, and Another historical angle highlighted importance and value of their work that discretionary components in the claim is the now forgotten has been overlooked for too long. within those structures contribute to relativity that used to be applied maintaining inequality. between rates of pay for clerks and "They are among the poorest paid, tradesmen, dating back to the 1970s with most paid little more than the and upheld then under the NZ Clerical minimum wage because their jobs BRINGING GENDER BIAS Workers award. have been considered 'women 's work'. TO THE FORE The 11-page claim was endorsed by A strong element of the claim is the PUSHING HARD almost 5000 PSA members working in reference to and inclusion of social, The PSA claim is pushing hard for DHBs, and specifies up to 50 job titles/ cultural and historical factors that roles within the claim document. have all contributed to "an inability ... an "orderly, efficient and reasonably to properly assess the remuneration bounded process". Part of the claim reads that within for these roles in a manner free of Our timetable is to enter negotiations the health context, the systemic gender bias". undervaluation of the nature, by September-October and to have a responsibilities and circumstances/ In preparation of the claim the result by November. Watch this conditions of administrative and PSA commissioned research from space!

12 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 Equal Pay Research: Women's clerical work was segregated

HISTORIAN Sarah Christie's work on The two World wars of the 20th that a gendered division of work was the feminisation and segregation of century opened doors for a female being perpetuated by downsizing or the clerical workforce helps define influx into the workforce but were re-categorising jobs filled by women the parameters of an area of research treated as emergency situations. to assign them less responsibility. that is much-needed to better inform an essential struggle. Christie writes that new positions at For the following decades Christie the time of Workd War 1 were created identifies the biggest shift within In a research paper for the PSA clerical work as the increasing Christie notes that clerical work has participation of married women. been ignored by the historians of hospitals. At the CONCLUSION Her research covers up to the This research describes the story period before equal pay legislation, of the of administration and clerical demonstrating just how far back the work for women as one of "both restriction of women to lower status, expansion and limitation". lower paid roles goes. hospital Christie concludes: "Despite significant changes in the From the early days of increased on a blanket basis as 'temporary' and relationship between women and participation in the workforce always surrounded by the premise the workforce... the legacies of women were being limited to that a women's future prospects segmentation and historical attitudes certain sectors and occupations; would be put behind them, or even to women and work can still be seen a segregation reinforced by barred, by marriage and motherhood. educational options, workplace in continued pay inequities and attitudes and government policies. By the 1940s it was also apparent undervaluing of clerical work."

Breaking news June 2018: Worth the wait – “Our members in mental health and "Our members stood together and now mental health and addiction addiction support were unfairly left they’re getting what they deserve.” support workers get equal pay out of the original settlement,” PSA PSA Mental Health Committee co- Mental health and addiction support Assistant National Secretary Kerry convenor Pollyanna Alo says mental workers have been rewarded for their Davies says. health and addiction support workers patience – with their long fight for equal “The mental health and addiction like her will feel valued for the work they pay finally over. support sector urgently needs more do. The Government has confirmed the staff, and this should help to recruit and “This means everything to me,” she says. care and support settlement will be retain skilled and dedicated workers. “Now support workers throughout New extended to these workers. “The Labour-led Government has Zealand are able to feed their families, An estimated 5000 workers will get a made good on its commitment to work put petrol in the car and just enjoy the pay rise, backdated to 1 July 2017, the with unions and employers to deliver odd treat without a stranglehold on date of the original $2 billion settlement. where the National Government failed. their finances.”

www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 13 Mental health Now is the time for better mental health and addiction services By July the Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry will have reached out to communities from Whāngārei to Invercargill as part of the formal Inquiry process launched in Palmerston North on 27 April 2018.

THE MENTAL HEALTH and addiction drew directly on survey responses inquiry panel - consisting of Professor from 500 members to questions Ron Paterson, Dr Barbara Disley, Sir about key issues such as workforce Mason Durie, Dean Rangihuna, Dr shortages and ideas for improved Jemaima Tiatia-Seath and Josiah service delivery. It was complemented Tualamali’i - is determined to meet by a PSAY submission based on the Government's timeframe of The union for survey responses from another 149 delivering a “solutions based” report members. by the end of October. mental health Professor Paterson states that As featured in the March edition of meetings will go on with individuals Working Life this is an Inquiry that and groups - including people PSA members fought hard to see with mental health and addiction happen. challenges, their families and PSA National Secretary Erin Polaczuk: BRINGING MEMBERS' whānau, service providers, advocates, “It is telling that the public meetings VOICES TO THE FORE organisations, institutions and held around the country by the experts - through to late August. Inquiry panel are only just beginning For its part the PSA has been pushing He has also given an assurance to scratch the surface of a discussion hard at every opportunity for face-to- that the final report will contain on mental health and addiction that face, worker-only sessions with the recommendations about mental is deep, painful for many and long panel. overdue.” health, addiction and suicide A submission has been made to prevention that are “practical and The phased process being run for the the Inquiry with input from PSA's doable - for the short and long term Inquiry has combined public-facing Mental Health Committee. This and at national and local level.” forums with a call for submissions that closed on 5 June after attracting some 5000 responses. PSA organiser Maddy Drew was on hand for the Inquiry panel when it At that point Inquiry chair Ron met mental health and addiction Paterson observed that a strong workers from Hutt Valley DHB and sense was emerging of people’s main wider Community on 22 May. concerns and ideas, along with “some Maddy, who is based three days a unique local and cultural issues.” week at Hutt Hospital, is seen here “Our purpose is to identify unmet in deep discussion with a member needs and develop recommendations of the team supporting the panel as for a better mental health and it has been making its way around addiction system for Aotearoa New more than 20 locations. Zealand.”

14 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 Mental health On the Road

JOSIAH TUALAMALI'I chairs the Pacific Youth Leadership and Transformation Council (PYLAT) and has brought a youth perspective to the Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry panel. Josiah shares some insights from the experience of being on the panel here:

Talofa lava whanau. Out on the road with the Inquiry panel we’ve been hearing from young people at school, some who have accessed mental health or addictions support Josiah Tualamali’i at centre, with from left to right: Billy West, PSA delegate from Pathways; Sue and others who are speaking out McCullough, PSA organiser; Tarn Evans, PSA delegate from LinkPeople; and Alex Ward, PSA organiser. against the stigma that exists which prevents people from asking for help. how it’s not realistic to expect young In Dunedin I met inspirational Vicki Some have taken steps like putting people to turn to their parents or Taylor from the PSA, and learnt about work on hold to support their family counsellors for support when they the work done by the Yes We Care members' wellbeing fulltime. are going through tough times, but campaign last year to address our As the youth voice on the panel I've they do talk with their friends. suicide statistics and about the safe been inspired by these signs and space it provided for many people to examples of hope. A gem from this korero was the ideal connect and share their stories and of focusing wellbeing education on hope. At St John's College in Hastings we how to be an awesome friend, and In each of these examples young met a group of 9 young men who, how supporting a friend through a supported by staff, have created a people have shared what the ideal, hard time is a practical way to take in strong relationship with a mental healthy Aotearoa would look like. the message for yourself too. health provider, the Whatever It They are living it now. We are so Takes Trust (WIT). One visit that has left a significant grateful for the taonga that we’ve impression on me was meeting heard from so many people. The students have visited clients at WIT multiple times in 2018 to get to young men who have completed So far, as a panel we have attended know them. The mana of the young Duke of Edinburgh awards, run over 160 meetings with community men and the WIT clients is being marathons, grow their own garden, groups and organisations and will enhanced. fix bicycles, paint beautiful murals continue meetings with interested and more, all inside a Corrections people, including youth, student and One of the amazing wahine toa I’ve unit. school groups through until August. met on the road is Lucy McSweeny, who presented a petition signed by 9,500 people to Parliament last year. Tracking the progress of the Inquiry Lucy would like to see an Aotearoa Full details about the process being followed by the Mental Health and where there is better mental health Addiction Inquiry are available at www.mentalhealth.inquiry.govt.nz education in all schools. While PSA is including updates on the progress of the Inquiry on our social media pushing forward the petition, she channels, in PSA News and on our campaign page at has been visiting schools sharing www.psa.org.nz/media/campaigns #standtogetherformentalhealth her story. One of the key ideas Lucy shared with the Inquiry panel was

www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 15 Industrial

Current NZDF National Delegates gathered in Wellington in May to continue the hard yards that go into industrial bargaining. Pictured from left to right are: Paul Barton, Sam Dowd, Robert Sisterson, Lawrie Knight, Rachel Gabbard-Jaspers, Peata Warmington Hekenui, Andrew Fruean, Katene Peretini, David Coates (PSA National Organiser), Tre Hutchins Winning one victory at a time A significant victory won by civilian staff employed by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) last year has removed a barrier to putting their employment relations on a new footing.

BARRIERS IN INDUSTRIAL blanket refusal to discuss any form In addition to acknowledging the bargaining don't come much bigger of salary scale having proposed work of the bargaining team, PSA than an employer refusing to allow one.” The determination concluded national organiser David Coates says remuneration to be put on the table. by ordering NZDF to “negotiate the outcome was “a real credit to the meaningfully on the PSA's proposal a strength, tenacity and staunchness When PSA members at NZDF were wage scale be included in the CEA.” of the members who hung in, and invited to be 'consulted' about a pay by trusting the process and their system, on the proviso that this take As stated by PSA National Secretary representatives achieved a great place outside of bargaining and that Glenn Barclay at the time this also all decisions would be controlled set “an important precedent for other deal for themselves and the wider entirely by NZDF, a decision was workplaces in local government movement. taken to fight the good fight by taking and the state sector where some “Thanks to this decision, the a case to the Employment Relations employers refuse to bargain pay.” obligation of good faith in the Authority (ERA). It was a reminder that a bargained employment relationship could In its resulting determination the approach requires an agreed be restored. With that battle won, ERA affirmed that the PSA is entitled consensus before a conclusion national delegates have been freed to seek a bargained outcome in is reached and agreed, whereas up to move on to additional ways respect to wages, further adding consultation implies agreement need to reinvigorate the working lives of “the PSA is entitled to more than a not be reached. It's a big difference. fellow PSA members at NZDF.”

16 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 Industrial

IN THEIR OWN WORDS »» This was a taxing time but it's »» (This shows that) following been worth all the time and effort and enforcing ERA processes WHEN NZDF National Delegates put into it - not only in bargaining generally resolves issues. gathered in Wellington in May but at a local level too. Working Life collected some »» This has laid the groundwork for reflections on what the ERA victory »» There is an historical effort us to bring the CEA back into one has meant for them. involved from this team prior to document and enhance it for all my involvement but I have seen members. »» Without this ERA ruling we the results in the ratification of would not have a new CEA. our new CEA. »» I look forward to more discussions around pay, and »» In my opinion I think that it was fighting to further strengthen a very significant thing for the the pay question/ argument, members of NZDF civilian staff This victory especially equal pay and gender and potentially across other equity. organisations. is only the National Delegates also discussed »» (This) highlights that PSA beginning.” how milestones like this help to keep members have rights and it them motivated: highlights that bargaining pay is »» This set the tone for both the next a fundamental right. bargaining round and how PSA »» I'm motivated simply by and NZDF will interact in the supporting and representing the »» Both sides were waiting for an meantime. It's made it easier and interests of our members. outcome, and both sides were less stressful. unable to move without it. »» For me (being part of the union) »» What happened was a complete is about an overwhelming sense »» This has given more strength to change to a key foundation of the of looking after the little guy, and the bargaining team to ensure employment relationship, and seeing that everyone gets a fairness and integrity. it overturned several years of fair go. policy. »» Some of our members would »» I'm doing what I'm doing with have still been hindered and »» This has helped to bridge, but not PSA because I want to help people discriminated against, even more fix, some of the inequity between who don't have the confidence to than other civilians are generally. union and non-union employees. have a voice, to have that voice.

The timeline August 2016 - Bargaining begins February 2017 - Claim filed in Employment Relations Authorit April/May 2017 - Industrial Action April 2017 - PSA and NZDF attend mediation at MBIE 29 June 2017 - ERA investigation meeting 29 September 2017 - ERA determination November 2017 - Bargaining resumes February 2018 - New CEA Ratified NZDF National Delegates spent two days together in May working through common goals for building on an improved employment relationship. As one delegate put it "we are slowly building April 2018 - CEA signed trust at national and local levels, and without trust we have nothing."

www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 17 International Bringing stories from Thailand

THAI UNIONIST 'BEE' brought some powerful stories from the frontline of unionism to the PSA in April.

Bee, pictured with host and good friend John Maynard of the Postal Workers Union (PWUA), was in New Zealand on a flying visit with opportunities to attend events such as the launch of the 2018 Living Wage and the re-opening of Wellington's historic Trades Hall following earthquake strengthening.

“A highlight," says Bee, "has been the of factory work to supplement their Now running a factory cafeteria, introductions to so many people who livelihood. Bee's working life has included are openly members of unions, and time as a journal writer and especially all the strong women”. During Bee's working life she has made many sacrifices to provide editor and celebration of victories Bee's family live and farm in the leadership within area-based unions, we would take for granted like very far north of Thailand and not while operating under harsh and winning workers “the right to have unusually she migrated to the world draconian circumstances. chairs with a back on them”.

*Conditions apply

18 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 International Flying the regional PSI flag

THE PSA WAS WELL REPRESENTED at this year's Oceania Sub Regional Advisory Committee meeting of Public Services International (PSI) in Sydney on 21-22 May.

The regional OSRAC meeting brings together public service union affiliates from New Zealand, Australia and throughout the Pacific - Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands. In total PSI's wider Asia and Pacific region covers 122 unions in 22 countries and related territories with a membership of two million workers.

Executive board and Rūnanga representative Marshall Tangaroa delivered a presentation on Nga Kaupapa. He says the gathering Representing: PSA's Benedict Ferguson, Glenn Barclay, Marshall Tangaroa, Caro Fisher, Kelly Cotter, allows a great appreciation of Lauren Hourigan and Erin Polaczuk. international unionism; noting too that issues being faced are “not to promote how we are working with that network's successful efforts in hugely different” from country to young PSA members to the world”. pursuing corporate tax avoidance. country. Vice-president Benedict Ferguson says something the PSA is Trade topics such as the CPTPPA PSA National Secretary Erin leading the way on is its engagement were well covered at the meeting and Polaczuk and recent addition to with younger union members. “We one of the guest speakers was Jason the executive board, Caro Fisher, should be proud of what PSAY has Ward from the Tax Justice Network presented to OSRAC on the topic of achieved and we need to continue in Australia. Ward spoke about whistleblowing.

An international union resource for May Day and beyond

IF YOU ENJOY short films of austerity and neoliberalism, coupled (Brazil); Dr Activist and Justice: A stories told well, then the ONE with campaigns for trade union public service (both Chad); Showing DAY series produced by Public rights, disaster preparedness and Human Face (USA); Higher Ground Services International (PSI) and access to quality public services. (Japan) or Comrade Chepeto! released on May Day comes highly (Guatemala). The Working Life team love the movie recommended. titles so much we think they alone As PSI says, while these mini- As stated at oneday.world-psi.org make for a great trailer. How can documentaries might be different ONE DAY stars over a dozen workers you beat titles like these: Guardians “the goal of these public workers is from across the globe and features Of The City or Sound and Silence the same: To make their communities struggles against privatisation, (both from Italy); We''re Not Trash better for all - not just the rich few.”

www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 19 Connected by Peter Griffin

THE EUROPEANS HAVE BEEN It impacts not only companies that The GDPR has been in the works LEADING THE CHARGE ON use EU citizens data, but the myriad for years, but its official roll-out PRIVACY PROTECTION. range of companies that host and now is timely, with the Facebook- process that data. Cambridge Analytica data scandal, If you’ve had a flurry of emails from which saw profile details of tens of companies asking you to review their It is also backed up with stiff fines for millions of people mined by political updated terms and conditions, you non-compliance - a company flouting have the Europeans to thank for it. the law could face a fine of up to 20 consultants, serving as a reminder million euros, or four per cent of its of the power of big tech companies Sweeping privacy regulations global revenue, whichever is largest. in the data age.

May 25th saw sweeping data privacy That has seen the likes of Google, Expect to see test cases working regulations going into effect in the Facebook, Microsoft and Amazon, their way through the courts of Paris, European Union, with ramifications which have major operations in Berlin and London in the coming for how the data of citizens is used Europe and millions of customers months and years as Europe’s new and stored here in New Zealand as there, hastily changing their policies data privacy laws are tested. well. to become gdpr-compliant. With a privacy bill currently The General Data Protection Ripple effect for New Zealand before Parliament that currently Regulation (GDPR) continues the includes provisions to beef up the European Union’s recent theme New Zealand companies doing of cracking down on the power of business in the EU will also need investigative powers of the Privacy technology companies. to be compliant. But the roll-out of Commissioner, the GDPR could also the legislation will provide some influence the development of data Whether it is anti-trust action to measure of boosted data privacy privacy legislation here too. water down Google’s market power protection to Kiwis as well, with or stiff fines to claw back taxes from Google and Facebook vowing to The Privacy Commissioner's Apple, Brussels is on a quest to make make the tighter data protection the 136 page submission on the bill those profiting from the ‘big data’ Europeans will enjoy, apply to the included 51 references to the GDPR. explosion more accountable for their rest of the world as well. The bill's key purpose is to promote actions. people's confidence that their Our own Ministers are turning their personal information is secure and The 'right to be forgotten' attention to data governance as will be treated properly. The Justice artificial intelligence is set to play a The GDPR mandates that EU citizens Committee's report, due back by 11 greater role in government services. can find out what information October, will make for interesting companies are holding on them, The goals of innovative, open reading. request it in a ‘machine readable’ government and protection of format so they can take it to a rival citizens’ privacy will have to be Journalist Peter Griffin was founding provider, and all data about them carefully balanced as more data- manager at the Science Media Centre erased - the so-called ‘right to be driven decision making is employed from 2008 to 2018. He hosts the RNZ forgotten’. across government. programme Bits+Bytes.

20 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 On the job by Ben Aulakh

A LIFE ON THE OCEAN something we can do to prevent that WAVES. sort of thing happening again.” A working life sailing the ocean waves The former captain says she also has proved a perfect preparation for enjoys the greater balance between PSA member Jenny Cuttriss’s current the genders in her current role at the job of investigating accidents at sea commission. as a marine accident investigator for “You do have women coming up the Transport Accident Investigation through the ranks at sea, but the Commission (TAIC). gender balance is still very much The back story of Cuttriss's 18 skewed towards the male side. The year career at sea was captured in office environment is so much more Emmanuel Makarios' book All at Sea: balanced as far as the genders go.” Stories of New Zealand Seafarers Cuttriss also emphasises that as published last year. invaluable as her experience in the “I don’t have the immediate marine industry had been, keeping Her love of the sea was first sparked responsibility for a couple of hundred an open mind when carrying out her by spending 10 days on board the souls as I did on the Interslander, investigations was a key attribute of sailing ship Spirit of Adventure when navigating them through quite her role at TAIC. a seventh former at St Oran's College dangerous waters and sometimes in Lower Hutt. some very challenging conditions. “Especially with some of the overseas She later worked on ferries in the “In this job the pressure is different, accidents, when you look at the United Kingdom, before becoming you are looking forward all the evidence it’s not something you can the first female Interislander captain time and thinking what can the do quickly. You have to be careful when she was on board the Aratere organisation do to make things less your experience doesn’t bias what in 2014. dangerous in the future.” you see in front of you. The last thing you want to do is jump to Cuttriss says a move ashore into her “From the evidence of an accident we conclusions. current role had been a change from try to assess the circumstances and a more pressurised position on the reasons why an accident happened. “We have to be very measured and water. fair in what we determine from the “There are a set of criteria around evidence.” “Moving to TAIC has been a nice which ones we investigate and which sideways step to being at sea. are done by Maritime New Zealand, The Wellington-based Transport but certainly we investigate the more Accident Investigation Commission “Coming in to a shore job I needed serious accidents that are in the comprises five Commissioners, to find something that kept my brain public interest. I find it fascinating supported by a Chief Executive and 27 ticking over, and this role definitely to look into why these things have staff, with an annual budget of about keeps me intellectually motivated. happened, and whether there is $5m.

www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 21 The workplace by Harry Johnson

departments had been a measure THE WORKING WEEK'S 35 36 37 34 1 2 33 3 introduced in WWI. CURIOUS CONTINUUM... 32 4 31 5 The question periodically arises as to 30 6 Going to the journal issues for 1914, 29 7 we find the following letter to the when public servants began to work a 28 8 37½-hour week. 27 9 editor: ‘I notice in the last number 26 10 of the Journal, under the heading It gains attention for instance 25 11 24 12 of matters still under consideration whenever comparisons are made 23 13 22 14 on the subject of Overtime that the about progressive European nations 21 15 20 19 18 17 16 Commissioner is considering the that are continuing to reduce or payment of overtime on special work trying to reduce hours of work. some local government workers were performed in excess of 44 hours per And yet a little research shows that working 37½ or 38 hours a week by week. this is one of those areas where New the late 1930s. It goes on: Do the members of the Zealand was once a trail blazer. A little further on from then detailed clerical division note what this So far as an 8 hour day goes it appears minutes of a meeting between means? At present the hours are, we could claim to have been in the the PSA and the Public Service say, from 9 a.m. to 1, and 2 to 5 p.m. vanguard at least three times: Commission, as reported in our union seven hours five days per week, and journal of 1940, includes a comment • an 8-hour-day movement from 9 a.m. to 12 noon three hours on from the Commission that ‘You have traceable to Wellington in 1840 Saturday, a total of 38 hours per week. to remember that forty hours is the This means that the Commissioner • an approximate statutory 8-hour nominal amount per week. It is a expects us to work an extra hour a day in 1901 with the enactment privilege that we only work 37½.’ of our first Factories Act day or six hours per week before we are entitled to overtime.’ • the 40-hour week introduced by Delving further back in time reveals the PSA was working hard in 1921 to the Savage government on the Such indignation, timelessly secure overtime payment for hours basis of the 1936 amendment to expressed! the Industrial Conciliation and worked after 38 hours. Our argument Arbitration Act was based on the fact that some As with so much to do with historical officers worked 38 hours in their searches there are many other So what about the 37.5 hour week? own department and then went to directions this can take, and other work at the overtime rate in another clues that point to the origins of a 38- Using the PSA journal as a source department. If they worked the extra hour week dating as far back as the throws up interesting historic hours in their own department they era of the Liberal Governments from markers, like central government were not paid overtime until they had 1890 and 1912. Given the access we clerical workers moving from a 38- completed 44 hours. hour six-day week to a 37-hour 55 all now have to a searchable online minute five-day week in November The Public Service Commission archive of past PSA journals at 1936. Old Department of Labour indicated in this discussion http://psa.recollect.co.nz/ there are books of industrial awards show that that working overtime in other many more searches to be done!

22 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 Behind the scenes by Jem Yoshioka

COMICS AND POLITICS Cartooning and politics have long gone hand in hand. Working Life spoke with comic artist Toby Morris about his work, and why his pictures featured under the title of Side Eye are worth at least one thousand words.

How did you end up in comics, and how did you end up bringing a political spin to your work?

I always had been into comics and was interested in politics and social things, but they were two separate things in my life. After I got into the work of Joe Sacco, his book Palestine Stories like the tale of Tasia, above, are told by Toby Morris and regularly featured at thespinoff.co.nz opened my eyes to doing comics about serious things. So I started it can be overly academic. writing non-fiction comics. I came to What is something you hope people In order for a message to resonate realise comics are a really effective take away from your work when with people you can’t just show way to get a message out because of they see it? numbers. You have to show how it their format. really affects peoples’ lives. For me it I guess I just want to pique people’s Why do you think illustration resonates much more if you can make interest in the topic. [Due to length] - and especially comics - are an it personal and make it human. I can’t get across every single thing effective way of communicating Do you ever get a sense before you about an issue. I hope it inspires difficult topics such as poverty and release a piece how it will land, or is people to learn more about things. inequality? it always a surprise to see people’s I think a lot of people don’t identify The combo of illustration and text reactions to it? themselves in terms of being big P lets you be emotional quite quickly I’m always really nervous when a and they only take a second to read. political, but when you ask them comic is about to come out – you just about poverty or climate change and They’re really emotional as well – I don’t know what’s going to resonate or the gender gap, people have opinions. think they provide a shortcut to being if you’ve missed something that makes human and intimate. It’s a good way your argument invalid. So I wanted to show people that they to discuss heavy issues that might otherwise be too daunting. Or if you’re going to accidentally have these opinions. I wanted it to be Sometimes writing about serious offend someone or if no one’s going a way to involve people who might be topics gets quite heavy. It can be work to care. Sometimes you publish and usually outside the conversation, and that is really insightful and smart, but there’s crickets, that’s the worst. give them a way to be heard.

www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 23 Cultural identity Challenging theatre with a workplace twist By day PSA member Jane Yonge can be found at ’s Toi Pōneke Arts Centre and by night she’s an award winning theatre maker and director.

ONE OF JANE'S successful struggle with looking Chinese but steps around how we communicate, collaborations in the last year being disconnected to any kind of which is from my experience”. has been with Waylon Edwards Chinese cultural heritage.” and William Duignan, actors and Yonge is pleased that WEiRdO has musicians, on a workplace satire It happens that the selected pushed a boundary by challenging how with 21st century sensibilities called workplace setting for WEiRdO people communicate with each other in WEiRdO. is the Department of Lifestyle office settings, as well as how well we Encouragement, or DoLE for short. respond to each other’s successes. Originally devised by Edwards and Duignan, Yonge says the play As noted in reviews this cheekily “I’m not sure that is something we’re went through multiple versions as named setting is given a “modern very good at, and likewise we trip everyone discussed how to tackle and refreshing” twist, with the over the way we speak to people from building theatre-centred pressures performances equally praised for different cultures. The public service and high stakes around the unusual their whimsicality and playfulness. tries really hard to be culturally subject of “work”. correct, respectful, and appropriate but sometimes suddenly everyone feels LAYERS OF TENSION Talking unsure about what they are doing. We In WEiRdO, a pair of Māori and about ourselves don’t want to get it wrong. I think it’s Pākehā co-workers – played good that we don’t want to get it wrong. respectively by Edwards and and our identity But then suddenly we’re all very uneasy. Duignan – unravel layers of racial “We’re all trying very hard but tension and unspoken unease in doesn't have their office environment. sometimes we fail. How we to be tiring.” acknowledge that and move on from This comes to a head around their that is a valuable question. How do we rivalry to secure a 'golden lanyard'. “WEiRdO follows Waylon, as acknowledge how we’ve acted in the past and where we are now – including The challenge or WERO of this its protagonist, and there were the effect of colonisation and how that scenario is literally embedded in the experiences he’d had in the public relates to success.” title, along with the shorthand of id sector that he drew from,” says Jane. for identity. “In terms of the cultural As Waylon puts it "talking about Yonge, a Chinese-New Zealander awkwardness or confusion, that ourselves and our identity doesn't have with roots in Fiji says “I was stuff is definitely from his personal to be tiring - it can be exciting and interested in Waylon’s thoughts experience. funny. We wanted to empower people surrounding cultural identity, who feel like outsiders to laugh at "We also look at the mechanical especially the idea of being ‘plastic’ themselves, each other, and make up aspects of work done by public Māori (looking Māori but feeling for lost time. Pākehā). servants and offices everywhere, like the staging of a Powerpoint "The interconnectedness of our "I identify with that because I also presentation, and the bureaucratic experiences helps."

24 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 Cultural identity WEiRdO gets up close and personal

True Hayes is a PSAY member at Auckland Council.

True went to Auckland's Basement Theatre in April during WEiRdO’s brief season there, and filed a short, spoiler-free review of the play for Working Life:

When entering the theatre, guests were greeted by the two leading characters, who by shaking hands and staring intently at you forced you to engage with them.

Given the small theatre this intimacy and eye contact continued to reinforce the feeling of being in the same ‘office’, as though we were all work colleagues listening in.

As an audience member the fact it was so up close and personal gelled with the issue of grappling with identity and race and having to think deeply about it. In the dark comedy WEiRdO William Duignan and Waylon Edwards play out a fraught working relationship within the walls of the fictional 'Department of Lifestyle Encouragement'. It made you ask the question: Have A MULTI-GENRE is likely to return to. “I think it starts we been sweeping racism under the rug? APPROACH with being a bit more curious, not worrying so much about being The comedy in WEiRdO and music Yonge says the “tricky” nature of constantly right and admitting both used irony successfully, amping the topic of cultural identity suited ‘I genuinely don’t know this. I’m up the feelings and emotions through the multi-genre approach taken for curious’, while remaining respectful. the staging of WEiRdO which mixes to an effective closing scene of our in musical elements with ‘high “How we relate to each other in conflicted lead character delivering a concept horror’ in a way that led order to be able to embrace the passionate speech in te reo Māori. reviewer Matt Loveranes to compare multi-culturalism of Aotearoa is Throughout WEiRdO the message it favourably to the vibe of popular something we can keep cracking of racial identity in Aotearoa New Netflix series Black Mirror. open.” Zealand is prominently explored to Posing the question of how cultures By Ben Aulakh and Stephen Olsen, reveal some deeper truths behind an fit together is something that Yonge with thanks to Pantograph Punch. important conversation.

www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 25 Networks

Our collective environmental responsibility

IN THE RECENTLY published Sea Change: Climate Politics and New Zealand (BwB, 2017), author Bronwyn Hayward emphasises the need to “address shared problems like climate change through collective action at many levels”.

She argues: “It is only through collective, democratic action involving ordinary people… that we will achieve and sustain the extraordinary policy transformations needed to address Taking part in the ECO Network planning day in Wellington were PSA Assistant Secretary Jeff climate change and hold powerful Osborne, Fiona Hodge, Karen Munro, union organiser Susannah Bailey and Cassie McCracken. interests to account.” We also know that the drivers and As union members we understand impacts of environmental damage SIGNS OF CHANGE the power of the collective. The are not distributed evenly. recently relaunched PSA Eco Union activity on environmental We have a responsibility as a union Network is exploring the unique issues is steadily gaining to show leadership on these issues. role of our union in encouraging momentum. Recent examples democratic conversations and From its growing base of 1033 include an Open Letter in collective action on climate change members the Eco Network is well April on ending oil and gas and other environmental issues. placed to take this lead, and recently exploration - co-signed by PSA held member planning days in - just prior to the Government's THE NEED TO ADAPT Auckland and Wellington. announcement it will issue no new offshore exploration permits. PSA members working in health, These were a great opportunity to Next to this the CTU is environmental services, primary connect interested members, share continuing its work on a just industries, town planning, civil what’s already happening in our transition to a sustainable defence and more are already workplaces, tap into the skills and economy. knowledge of our membership and planning for and grappling with Other signs of change include build a plan for the network. changes brought on by a changing Health Minister David Clark climate and increasingly severe Ideas discussed include connecting singling out the need for a strong extreme weather events. All public interested members virtually, response to climate change in and community services, and sharing ideas and resources, his expectations for DHBs, with workers, will need to adapt. influencing policy and practice reference to “both mitigation and through collective bargaining, adaptation strategies”. Of course, the nature and manner political lobbying, and promoting of our work also affects the JOIN THE NETWORK environmental campaigns run by environment. This includes travel, You can join the PSA Eco reps PSA members waste, procurement, and energy Network at psa.org.nz/eco consumption. By Susannah Bailey

26 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 Networks

NETWORK SNAPSHOTS PSA YOUTH DEAF & DISABLED NETWORK As covered under the International section In March the Deaf and Disabled members’ network of this edition of Working Life two youth welcomed the publication of Employment Support representatives attended the Oceania Sub- Practice Guidelines by the NZ Disability Support Network Regional Advisory Committee meeting of In support of the guidelines network convenor Candace Public Services International in Sydney in McCabe commented that the issue of ensuring disabled May. PSAY network member Kelly Cotter's workers receive at least the same pay and conditions as takeaway from the event was a wider appreciation of everyone else in their workplaces has been left parked for "how many dedicated, passionate and talented people we too long without getting the attention it deserves. have within the union movement in our region", as well as learning more about the "different political landscapes In a media statement she added that “related issues such which each of the different countries are trying to work as progress to remove breaches of human rights in areas within". such as minimum wage exemption are of central interest to the PSA and its members. The sooner those exemptions An 18-page PSAY submission was made to the Inquiry end, the better.” into Mental Health and Addiction in June, wholly thanks to the sterling work of regional co-convenor Liam Russell. In the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours a loyal past member At short notice almost 150 PSAY network members of PSA, Martine Abel-Williamson received a Queen's responded to a survey that formed the basis for the Service Medal for her work in the disability sector for 22 submission. Six key recommendations were made to the years. As well as serving as vice-president of Blind Citizens Inquiry - from calls for greater funding and subsidised New Zealand she is currently Treasurer of the World Blind counselling to identifying the need for improved Union and chairs Auckland Disability Law. education about mental health and more holistic approaches to mental wellbeing. Congratulations Martine!

SWAN OUT@PSA In March SWAN members from around the Out@PSA continues to offer workshops on country gathered together for their first Gender and Sexual Diversity. If you'd like leadership training with sessions on campaigning, policy to learn more about these you can contact Art Daniel, writing, lobbying and using the media. Out@PSA organiser ([email protected]). A meeting A continued focus for SWAN has been the Social Work has been held with representatives of the State Services Registration Legislation Bill which is on the cusp of its 2nd Commission to discuss an initiative to create links reading at Parliament, and the issue of addressing its lack between public service rainbow networks and encourage of a defined scope of practice for social work and social assessment of state sector employers by the government workers despite the Social Workers Registration Board rainbow standard. having already drafted one. The show of unity across the Out@PSA will have 3 PSA Congress delegates: Jax Doyon social work community in standing our ground on this (MOJ), Daniel Freeman-McGrath (Oranga Tamariki) defining issue bodes well for upcoming struggles for equal and Caleb Gordon (Experience Wellington). Lastly, pay across all the social work sectors. Divided we can be congratulations to Garth Marchbank, the T-shirt winner picked off, together we are a real force for change. from our giveaway competition in March.

WANT TO JOIN A NETWORK? Some of the most active and interesting work that happens within the PSA is spurred by our networks. If you’re interested in getting involved you can go online to psa.org.nz/networks or give us a call on 0508 367 772.

www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 27 Around & about

facebook.com/nzpsa to see more photos of union activity

Pasefika Network members Stella Teariki, Mercy Brown and Nia Bartley PSAY convenors assembled on the steps of Parliament in April: Mahesh celebrate Samoan Language Week and Samoan Independence Day. The Khupse, Liam Russell, Mo Abdi, Andrei Gilbert, Daniel Freeman McGrath, Week's theme for 2018 was: Alofa atu nei. Alofa mai taeao – Kindness given. Megan Barry and Jacqueline Atkinson with PSA staff (at front left and Kindness gained. right) Alex Ward and Lauren Hourigan.

May Day was good cause for a morning tea at the Ministry of Health - Local Government sector committee members deep in concentration: organised by delegates Richard Lee and Heidi Irion (front left and right). Peter Mora, Michael Ogden, Alana Reid and Lee Manaia.

PSA members around New Zealand joined in marking PINK SHIRT DAY this event, which began in Canada, is coordinated by the Mental Health on Friday 18 May. The photo above is of staff from Oranga Tamariki's Foundation. Its call to action is for New Zealanders to speak up and stand Waitakere office: Leslie-Ann Nikolaison, Ilka Adams, Helen Willets, Pauline together to Stop Bullying. Thank you also to Colleen Smith of DOC in Mapuranga, Clare Bates, Tamara Hemana, Sandra Bowden, Azzy Leefe, Auckland and Kim Salamonson of the Havelock North Library for sending Sue Mac, Medbh Sheppard, Georgia and Juvilyn Maliwat. In New Zealand in photos. We love these for social media shares!

28 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 Around & about

Department of Internal Affairs' delegates gather together in Wellington in April. The DIA is instituting the Living Wage as its minimum starting salary from 1 July.

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www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2018 29 Last word Turning back time

By Stephen Olsen

WHEN A FASCINATION with the stories that can be revealed by historical archives takes hold, it can be hard to shake.

In the case of Emil McAvoy, an Auckland based ‘artivist’ – an artist and activist – his archival source of choice since winning an Archives New Zealand scholarship several years ago has been the McAvoy's other work has included a solo show titled National Publicity Studios (NPS) CAUCASIA: Selling New Zealand collection. His findings from that at the 1970 Japan World Expo collection – “I rapidly figured I’d see emilmcavoy.com stumbled on a huge goldmine” – received another outing this year McAvoy’s selection of “found In my case the rotating cycles of as part of the popular This Is New photography” takes viewers around public service organisations have Zealand exhibition mounted at the the often mundane behind-the-scenes always held a certain fascination. Wellington City Art Gallery. activity that went into this business Back in the day (30 years ago) I was As described by co-curator, Robert of nation-building. At the same time employed at the Department of Leonard, the exhibition's purpose as exposing how idyllic scenes were Scientific and Industrial Research was to tease out “connections set in place, McAvoy also sparks at Gracefield, Lower Hutt, as a between images, ideology, and thinking about undercurrents such as library assistant. identity” – taking a critical look at the appropriation of Māori culture. At the time I wrote an article for the stories we’ve told ourselves, When I visited The National the PSA journal about moves to and promoted to others, about this Basement the first thing to catch my restructure the science sector. Sure notion of a nation called attention was a photo of a carved enough the DSIR was gone by 1992 New Zealand. wooden shield that once upon a time occupied a wall-space of the Lambton after a proud life of 66 consistently The National Basement was Quay office of the Government productive years. the title of McAvoy’s section Tourist Bureau or GTB. of the exhibition – a body of Not everyone remembers DSIR, work consisting of 19 full-frame, The GTB sat within the Tourist and or the GTB or NPS for that matter, digitally revived black and white Publicity Department back when yet nor have they completely photographs that lift the lid on official tourist bureaux could be disappeared from the collective some unfiltered aspects of the found “in each of the main cities of memory, as brought out of the NPS’s outputs. Established in the Dominion”. It’s where people basement by exhibitions like This Is 1945 the NPS was a manufactory would go to have their tours of New New Zealand (citygallery.org.nz). of image production and also Zealand mapped. The GTB ceased its held responsibility for advising existence a long time ago, while the If you have memories of government government departments and NPS briefly became Communicate organisations you’ve worked at state agencies on the provision New Zealand in 1987 before being which haven’t survived the passage of photographic, art, and display privatised for a mere $200,000 a few of time please share them with services. years later. [email protected]

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