Courts Strike Heralds Summer of Discontent
Christchurch District Courts NUPE members are taking strike action today in protest at the Ministry of Justice’s refusal
to meet to negotiate a collective employment agreement until March 2004.
“NUPE wrote to the Ministry in November 2003 asking to meet in December. The Ministry’s response was that they were too
busy and that they were unlikely to be able to meet in January or February because their so called ‘key people’ would be
on holiday” said NUPE Organiser John Kerr.
“Our members are deeply frustrated at the Ministry’s attitude. They want to make progress with talks and feel they are
being treated with contempt. NUPE members who staff the Christchurch District Court voted last week to commence a
campaign of industrial action aimed at getting the Ministry to the negotiating table” said Mr Kerr.
“Negotiations have already been delayed by the recent merger between the Ministry of Justice and the Department for
Courts. It’s time to get things moving again.”