Tax workers stop work in push for new contract

PSA members at Inland Revenue – angry at the lack of progress in negotiating a new collective contract - will stop work at offices across most of the country today and hold lunchtime rallies to highlight their dispute.

The workers – the majority of IRD staff – are angry they remain working on a collective contract which ‘expired’ more than 18 months ago and are further disappointed recent ‘negotiations’ produced nothing.

“This week we had some long overdue talks about a contract but they produced nothing for our members with IRD simply “offering” a contract they have signed with the company union which would bring a significant reduction in our terms and conditions,” PSA organiser Jane Douglas said.

“The parliamentary inquiry into IRD produced some significant findings and we believe the best way to get things improving is to get a contract up, which is progressive and fair,” she said.

“Otherwise the culture of fear and punishment so detailed by the enquiry will continue on and nothing will improve, both for our members and for the New Zealand public they serve.”

“Senior IRD management seem to have not been listening and their continued stonewalling here will only serve to increase the insecurity and divisiveness our members are faced with.

“Away from the public eye of the inquiry nothing has changed. And I have to tell the public there is absolutely no indication anything will change. It is a significant problem for this country,” Douglas said.

“These rallies are about highlighting what is still happening at IRD and about letting the communities know how management are treating their workers,” she said.

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For more comment and information on the details of the rallies please call the PSA organiser, Jane Douglas on 025 418209

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