22 October 2004

Pay rise for New Zealand Defence Force civilian staff

Civilian staff working for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) have ratified a 2.5 per cent pay increase and a raft of improvements to working conditions.

The Public Service Association represents around 900 civilian NZDF staff. The current collective employment agreement expired at the end of August 2004.

PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff said the new agreement ensures NZDF salaries maintain parity with other public and private sector employers.

“Recruitment of suitably qualified staff has been a particular issue for the NZDF. The PSA is pleased that the new agreement our members have ratified has begun to address the pay gap for low to middle-range staff.”

As a result of the new two-year agreement: PSA members will receive a 2.5 per cent increase from 1 September 2004, with a further salary review on 1 September 2005, fixed term staff will be covered by the collective agreement for the first time, pay rates for staff required to be on stand-by will increase and staff who are called to address issues after hours will now be paid, and changes in overtime provisions mean that staff required to work long hours can now be recompensed for their efforts. Previously those staff above an overtime limit had no entitlement.

The PSA expects that the settlement of this agreement will assist the parties to build their relationship towards a positive partnership.

ENDS

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