Tuesday 1 June 2004

Suspended Strikers Return To Talks

“NUPE members have decided to lift their strike against the the Inland Revenue Department and the suspended workers have returned to work today,” said Martin Cooney, Organiser of the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE).

“IRD had suspended two workers (though one had returned last week, and were about to suspend a third. NUPE members met yesterday and decided they had made their point to the IRD and the public and would take up the offer of talks from their employer.”

“In the meantime the plan to overload the call center has also been put on hold pending progress in the talks,” said Martin Cooney.

“NUPE delegates will now decide how to progress the offered talks with IRD,” said Martin Cooney. “Given the IRD attitude to the issues at the heart of the dispute, we may be seeking mediation assistance.”

“The strike began on 4 May where NUPE members began refusing to volunteer for extra duties in the Riccarton office. NUPE members are also upset at the inequity of the recent pay offer where team leaders get 8.8% and most team members 1.1%,” said Martin Cooney.

ENDS

© Scoop Media