23 February 2006
Unions will want extensive involvement in expenditure reviews
The Council of Trade Unions says that unions will want extensive involvement in the planned reviews of expenditure
announced by government today.
"The CTU notes that the reviews proposed are not overall cost cutting exercises, which is a welcome signal," said Ross
Wilson, Council of Trade Unions President. "In many cases, unions have been arguing for increased investment and
capacity, rather than decreases, and unions will not be happy if this exercise ends up being a focus on cutting costs at
the expense of quality public services."
"The CTU supports moves to examine productivity issues, but this needs to be done through the active involvement of
public sector workers."
"We support government spending being of high quality and excellence in public sector management," said Ross Wilson.
"Based on the Cabinet paper released today we are hopeful that the government's reviews will keep their focus firmly on
strengthening New Zealand's public services."
ENDS