11 April 2013

PSA Urges Communities To Get Behind Love DOC Day

The Public Service Association is hoping communities throughout the country will get behind Forest and Bird’s Love DOC Day today to express concern over the impact of planned job cuts.

DOC has announced it is cutting 140 positions around the country as part of a shift in organisational focus and in a bid to make up to $9 million dollars in savings from on-going government funding cuts to its operational budget.

Forest and Bird is encouraging people to flood Department of Conservation offices with messages of support to staff and to send a message to the government about the impact of funding cuts on conservation.

The PSA represents more than 1400 DOC staff.

PSA National Secretary Brenda Pilott says the planned cuts will hit frontline jobs and operations across DOC’s regional network.

“Once again we are seeing public sector cuts costing valuable jobs. The DOC review is another in a long list of cuts and restructuring which have affected public sector workers and continues to create a very difficult and unsettled environment for them.”

DOC has been one of the hardest hit in terms of government budget cuts.

“The Department has already been through one review process which has cost jobs and affected its capability in some areas. It’s clear that it’s now reached a stage where it can’t make the required savings without sacrificing frontline jobs,” Brenda Pilott says.

The PSA says many communities are also concerned about the job cuts.

“In some of the smaller regions where DOC staff not only manage conservation but are integral to their local communities, the impact of any job loss will be felt strongly,” Brenda Pilott says.

“It’s great to see Forest and Bird voicing support for the valuable work that DOC does and encouraging a public vote of confidence in it. I think staff will feel heartened by it.”

PSA members at DOC will be presenting a detailed submission today as part of the consultation process before DOC releases final decisions on the restructuring in the next few weeks.

**Brenda Pilott will be taking part in the Wellington event outside DOC offices in Manners St between 12.15-12.45.

ENDS

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