PSA Congress Time For Celebration

May 24, 2002

The PSA Congress on May 29-30 will be an opportunity for celebrating the achievements made over recent years in enhancing the quality of New Zealand’s public services. It is fitting that this be shared with guest speakers at the congress, the Ministers of Health and State Services and the President of the CTU, PSA President Ian Bamber said today.

”Partnership agreements between employer and union have been cemented in many public sector organisations. These relationships have enabled our members to be directly involved in the attainment within those organisations of better services, better jobs, and better processes.”

Ian Bamber said the signing of the Partnership for Quality agreement between the Government and the PSA two years ago had been a watershed in the history of the PSA.

“Central to the agreement was the notion that the union and government have a shared interest in the capacity and capability of the public sector. It recognised the legitimate role of the union as a key stakeholder with a central role to play in the further development of the sector. Coupled with the collective approach encouraged by the Employment Relations Act, our partnership strategy has seen improved employer/union relations developing and a shift in attitudes among many employers in the core public service.”

“Although there remain a number of important and outstanding issues and challenges for the PSA to tackle over the coming period, we remain committed to the partnership concept of building a union organisation that can engage with decision-makers to maximise our influence in the interests of our members.”

Ian Bamber said the two day congress would be held at the Mecure Hotel on the Terrace. Minister of Health Annette King would give an address at 10.30 am on Wednesday May 30, followed by Minister of State Services Trevor Mallard at 11.00 am. CTU President Ross Wilson would speak at 2.30 pm.

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