Joint media release from the Public Service Association and the Auckland Transition Agency

Aug 8, 2010

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Agreement reached on Super City employment collectives

Over 2,500 Public Service Association (PSA) members working in councils across Auckland have voted overwhelmingly in favour of three new Collective Agreements that for the first time provide consistent conditions of employment across the Auckland region.

Three almost identical agreements which cover the new Auckland Council, the Auckland Transport Agency and Auckland Art Gallery have been established after several months of negotiations between the PSA and the Auckland Transition Agency (ATA) which is responsible for managing the transition to Auckland’s new local government arrangements.

ATA Executive Chairman Mark Ford and PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff described the ratification of the collective agreements as “an important and unique achievement”.

In a joint statement issued by both organisations, Richard Wagstaff and Mark Ford said: “This is an important milestone in the creation of a new and united Auckland Council that has established consistent conditions of employment across the whole organisation.

“It also represents a commitment by both the new employer and the PSA to engage constructively in the interests of better jobs and better services.”

The new agreements come into effect on 1 November. 

The PSA said its members and delegates from across the region pulled together collectively and worked hard to reach this achievement.

“For members going through this difficult period of change it is good to have the certainty of a new collective agreement,” Richard Wagstaff said.

“While these three collective agreements replace 11 varied agreements, they protect the terms and conditions that members said were important, and in some cases they enhance existing conditions.”

PSA delegate Sara Cole said: “This is a great result and symbolises a new era for local government in Auckland.”

Mark Ford said negotiators from both sides had worked hard. “There were various anomalies in the previous collective agreements which differed from council to council and it was important to get these ironed out before Day 1 so the new organisations can have the best possible start.

“I appreciate the excellent work that has been done by our negotiating team and the constructive and cooperative approach shown by the PSA.  Both sides were committed to making this work and I am very pleased with the results.”

The Minister of Local Government, the Hon Rodney Hide, described the agreement as “terrific result for Auckland”.

He said: “This is a consequence of the positive approach taken by both the PSA and the ATA to achieving a satisfactory outcome.

“I have been filled with confidence on every occasion I have met with the dedicated men and women who will be the front-line troops in ensuring the new Auckland Council will be a great success.

“There is now a real willingness to embrace the new service culture.”

ends

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