Rolling industrial action by PSA members continues at Ministry of Justice

With collective bargaining at the Ministry of Justice still showing no meaningful advance, PSA members at MOJ sites around New Zealand are continuing rolling strike action.

"Our members are not being listened to and their frustration was seen during strike action by Court Security Officers for an hour outside District Courts in south Auckland this week - at Manukau, Papakura and Pukekohe - where Court Security Officers (CSOs)," says Glenn Barclay, PSA assistant national secretary.

"Since the nationwide strike around the country on 19 September, our members have been sticking to their rights to ‘work to rule’ - an action that has seen workers refusing to work outside their contracted hours of work, a ban on overtime and sticking to common morning, afternoon and midday breaks.

"Such planned action is down to continue for the period through until 19 October," says Glenn Barclay.

"All we are seeking is to for the Ministry to come to the table with a reasonable offer that values our members for the work they do and towards agreeing an end to the gender pay gap at the Ministry".

PSA members throughout the Ministry of Justice include Court Reporters, Court Registry Officers, Victim Advisors, Family Court Coordinators and workers from the Ministry’s head office and specific courts such as the Māori Land Court.

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Note to journalists: Court Security Officers (CSOs) provide safety and security for court staff, the judicial officers and the general public. CSO's undertake security screening of court users and engage with a hugely diverse range of people in the community. They work with other agencies (i.e. Police, Corrections) to ensure smooth day to day operations, patrol public areas and carry out building security checks. CSO's respond to duress alarm activations, identify and respond appropriately to security incidents as well as operate and maintain Court facility CCTV and electronic access systems. They are soon to be granted powers similar to police officers under legislation that is going through Parliament at the moment.

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