PSA MEDIA RELEASE
12 December 2010
For Immediate Use
Housing New Zealand staff walk off the job in protest at suspensions
Housing New Zealand staff who are members of the Public Service Association has walked off the job in protest at the
suspension of two employees taking lawful industrial action.
Two PSA members at Housing New Zealand’s IT Service Desk were suspended for not answering calls or emails between 10am
and 2pm today as part of industrial action.
Staff have been trying to bargain a fair settlement with their employer since August 2009 to gain some certainty around
job restructuring, set hours of work and a fair and transparent pay system.
“Our members are upset by Housing New Zealand’s bullying tactics and intimidation in suspending employees for taking
industrial action,” says Richard Wagstaff, PSA National Secretary.
“Despite Housing NZ recently reporting a rise in its profits, this year up to $104 million, many of the lowest-paid PSA
members at Housing New Zealand have not had a pay increase for two years and their redundancy package is one of the
worst in the public sector.”
“It’s extremely disappointing that a state sector employer is so heavy handed and intimidating in its reaction to
industrial action driven by our members’ frustration at not being listened to and treated fairly,” says Richard
Wagstaff.
“Suspending staff only inflames and makes our members more determined to continue with industrial action until they get
a fair hearing.”
ENDS