Partnership Resource Centre establishment timely

The union which pioneered the partnership approach in New Zealand is welcoming State Services Minister Trevor Mallard’s announcement today that the government is establishing a Partnership Resource Centre to promote the approach across the wider economy.

The Public Service Association and the Government renewed their second Partnership for Quality agreement last year, committing to jointly develop a modern and innovative public sector. Partnership approaches have also been used to bring together government, unions and private sector employers around issues of common interest.

PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff said many nations had realised the potential of adopting a partnership approach – and it is timely that New Zealand was following suit.

“Many nations have long used a partnership model to realise the government’s goal of economic growth and social development.

“New Zealand businesses and workers operate in an interconnected and rapidly changing world. To succeed we need to move employer-union relationships beyond a sole focus on bargaining issues and on to ways to foster greater workplace innovation and flexibility.

“The Partnership Resource Centre will provide leadership on how to develop stronger workplace relationships that lift organisational performance and employment relations outcomes.

“The establishment of this Centre is one of the projects arising from the Partnership for Quality agreement we signed with the Prime Minister last year. The PSA was part of the project group which was involved in its development, working alongside the Council of Trade Unions, and employer and government organisations. Our members can feel justly proud that the principles we have championed are now seen as central to New Zealand’s future development.”

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