The Public Service Association (PSA) has advised it will file legal action today with the Employment Relations Authority alleging the Ministry of Māori Development Te Puni Kōkiri breached its collective agreement by excluding the union from its latest restructuring decisions.
The PSA is seeking a compliance order from the Authority to stop Te Puni Kōkiri from proceeding with a restructure until it consults with the union.
“There has been a clear breach of Te Puni Kōkiri’s obligation to consult the union before dumping restructure plans on workers – another disappointing example of a trend that is becoming all too common across the public service,” said Jack McDonald, Te Kaihautū Māori for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“Last week we asked Te Puni Kōkiri to withdraw the restructure, but it refused – leaving us with no choice. Proper process is not optional – it’s the law and we expect all agencies to adhere to their legal obligations and operate in good faith.”
The PSA says it received the Authority’s 46-page restructure document on 19 March and was told not to share it with members. It says the document was subsequently released Te Puni Kōkiri to staff the following day, giving them seven working days to respond.
“That is not consultation – it’s a fait accompli. The collective agreement requires the union to have an adequate opportunity to be genuinely involved in restructuring decisions, not to be handed a done deal and told to like it.”
“These proposed cuts would bring total job losses at Te Puni Kōkiri to more than 100 – about a fifth of the workforce. The Crown’s ability to meet its Te Tiriti obligations and deliver for Māori is being dismantled in a systematic and deliberate way.
“The PSA will do everything in our power to stop this latest attempt to downgrade this agency and further undermine the important work to reduce Māori social and economic disparities,” said Mr McDonald.
