The public sector union says more than 1500 workers at the Ministry of Education will walk off the job for an hour on Wednesday to protest a pay freeze.<\/p>\n
The Public Service Association said it was the first time in 20 years its members at the Ministry had gone on strike.<\/p>\n
“We’re taking strike action because the Ministry is refusing to recognise the increased cost of living facing Ministry staff and their families by proposing a two-year freeze on pay bands,” national secretary for the Public Service Association Te P\u016bkenga Here Tikanga Mahi Fleur Fitzsimons said.<\/p>\n
She said most members would not get a pay rise out of this proposal.<\/p>\n
“The Ministry is also looking to cut Ministry staff out of consultation on change processes and do away with provisions for flexible working,” Fitzsimons said.<\/p>\n
She said the employer hadn’t budged since talks started in December.<\/p>\n
The Ministry was focused on a fair outcome Acting Leader (Haut\u016b) Corporate Rob Campbell said.<\/p>\n
“We respect the right of employees to take industrial action and are committed to continuing good-faith bargaining,” he said.<\/p>\n
Campbell said he was hoping for progress towards a resolution during bargaining on Wednesday and in mediation scheduled for the end of the month.<\/p>\n
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