PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION
MEDIA RELEASE 12 April
Restructuring not the answer, says
PSA national secretary
The PSA is disappointed with the announcement to re-merge the Ministry of Social Policy and the Department of Work and
Income. "The decision has been rushed through without consultation or adequate thought", says PSA national secretary
Richard Wagstaff.
"The assurances of the Ministers of State Services and Social Services do not stop immediate anxiety for public service
workers about job security. The uncertainty and distraction that a restructuring causes is disabling for the work at
hand and unwelcome for our members".
"We are concerned the description of the new organisation makes it "lopsided". It is to be responsible for advising
government on "strategic and cross-sectoral social policy" but does not include all the sector. A large proportion of
the Minster of Social Policy's focus is on issues to do with Child, Youth and Family, yet CYFS is not part of this new
organisation. We understand, and agree with, the reluctance to place CFYS under more uncertainty and disruption but it
seems illogical to set up a body to look at issues across the sector but only covers part of that sector”, said Mr
Wagstaff.
"The PSA agrees with the Ministers about the problems caused by fragmentation of the public service and the split of
policy and operation functions. We expect to be part of the debate with government about addressing those problems and
the options for building a modern public service. However, we believe time and care must be taken to plan comprehensive
solutions before more restructuring".
ENDS