Up to 300 Ministry of Justice PSA members have voted to walk off the job at Courts around the South Island this afternoon.

This lightning strike action began at 3pm and ends at 5pm today, with Court Security Officers poised to join the strike at 4pm.

In addition around 45 Ministry of Justice PSA members voted to strike between 4-5pm today at Courts in the Waikato, with an impact on five courts.

This action follows from member frustration at the lack of progress in industrial bargaining for improved pay and conditions, and lack of stronger commitments to end the gender pay gap at the Ministry.

Industrial action originally commenced on 19 September with a nationwide two-hour strike and rallies around New Zealand.

The only PSA members not taking action at Courts today are Court Reporters as they did so yesterday, Thursday 25 October.

In yesterday’s action up to 80 staff in the Ministry’s National Transcription Service stopped work between 3-5pm.

The PSA has noted that gender pay equity is an issue in the female dominated job, and the Ministry is proposing to cut rates for new staff. Court Reporter Iris Bush: "It’s not just typing. We have to listen to some really emotional and difficult things to hear. At the same time we have to get our work absolutely correct. If we make a mistake a whole trial could be aborted".

On Wednesday this week (24 October) PSA members at the Ministry of Justice also voted to re-commence daily work-to-rule action through to Friday 9 November.

Mediation between Ministry officials and the PSA bargaining team is scheduled for this Monday 29 October.

ENDS

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