PSA MEDIA RELEASE
March 27, 2009
For Immediate Use
PSA supports Commission retaining Auckland local govt staff

The Public Service Association supports the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance recommendation that all Auckland local government staff be retained until the next local government election in 2010.

The PSA has 2400 members working for Auckland’s eight local authorities and council-controlled organisations.

In the commission’s proposed new governance model for Auckland all staff at existing councils will have their employment transferred to a new Auckland Council. They will continue to work for their current councils and will retain their current pay and working conditions. This will continue for 18 months until the next local government elections when it’s proposed the new Auckland Council and six new local councils will be established.

“We support the Royal Commission’s recognition of the need to hold onto Auckland’s local government staff so that Aucklanders can continue to receive vital services,” says PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff.

“Our message to the government, as it considers its response to the report, is that it must ensure the on going retention of a skilled and experienced local government workforce.”

“This is essential to ensure Aucklanders continue to receive services like clean water, reliable roads, rubbish and waste water removal and easy and affordable access to their parks, pools, libraries and recreation centres.”

“We are also pleased it’s proposed that all existing council assets be transferred to the new Auckland Council.”

“We believe Aucklanders and the rest of New Zealand want to see assets like Auckland’s ports kept in public ownership and not privatised and sold to overseas interests.”

“They also want to retain ownership of community assets like parks, pools and libraries so they can remain affordable and accessible,” says Richard Wagstaff.

He says the PSA will be keeping a close eye on the transition to the new local government structure in Auckland.

“Auckland local government workers are not opposed to change but say it must make Auckland a better place to live and work,” Richard Wagstaff.

“The PSA will continue to highlight that if Auckland is to have high-quality, value-for-money local government services it needs to retain its skilled and experienced local government workforce,” says Richard Wagstaff

ENDS

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