14 October 2004

PSA elects new President

The country’s biggest state sector union has elected a new President at its biennial congress in Wellington.

The new President is the union’s current Vice-President, Keith Gutsell. Keith has been active in the union for 21 years, and has held the position of Vice-President since October 2003. He works as a meat inspector for state-owned enterprise Asure New Zealand in Invercargill.

Keith said he is proud to have been elected PSA President.

“I’m very humbled to have been chosen to lead the PSA as our Partnership for Quality agenda starts to deliver tangible benefits to members.

“My own workplace, Asure New Zealand, was one of the first organisations to formally adopt a Partnership for Quality agreement with the PSA. The benefits of the agreement have included a complete revamp of our health and safety systems and the first-ever membership-only rewards included in a collective agreement. I want to thank my employer, Asure New Zealand, for the support they have given me to work within the PSA and the PSA Asure members who have supported me as a delegate for the past 21 years.

“I see my election as PSA President as an opportunity to spread the benefits of the partnership approach to a wider range of public sector employers, including local authorities, district health boards, state-owned enterprises and government agencies.

“Through our formal Partnership for Quality agreement, renewed with Prime Minister Helen Clark last November, the PSA is involved in a range of projects to improve public services and to make the public sector a more attractive career option. This work is delivering real benefits for all New Zealanders.”

Keith Gutsell also paid tribute to outgoing President Ian Bamber who has stepped down after a four-year term.

“Ian Bamber has done a tremendous job in successfully steering the PSA through a great time of change over the last four years as the union has grown and adapted to a new political and industrial relations climate.”

ENDS

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