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Local Elections 2010
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Regional delegates meet new CE
PSA Local Government Regional Delegates met with Interim Auckland Council Chief Executive Doug McKay for an hour on 24 May. Also present was Richard Wagstaff, PSA National Secretary. The meeting provided an opportunity for delegates to talk to McKay about issues affecting members, and to call for strong engagement between the PSA and management of the new council.
McKay was appointed as Interim Chief Executive of the Auckland Council by the Auckland Transition Agency (ATA) in March this year. He has 30 years of corporate experience, and has held senior executive roles at Lion Nathan, Carter Holt Harvey, Goodman Fielder, Sealord and Independent Liquor. McKay doesn’t officially start his job until 1 August, but is already working with the ATA to help appoint staff and to learn about local government processes, and issues affecting Auckland.
What was discussed
MCKAY’S VISION FOR THE AUCKLAND COUNCIL
McKay has a vision for Auckland as a leading city in Australasia. He talked about his commitment to a high performing new council with better productivity and efficiency that can deliver “simpler, faster and smarter”. He said he recognises the four pillars to local government - economic, social, environmental and cultural - and said that while he only has experience in the economic realm, he will appoint knowledgeable, experienced and innovative leaders to lead on the other three pillars. Delegates noted that these pillars are inter-connected and asked that one pillar not be focused on at the expense of others.
JOB SECURITY
Delegates raised concerns about job losses in the transition process and after 1 November.
McKay said that he will be demanding a rationale for any redundancies. He said that's he's "not stuck on the mantra that productivity equals less people. Productivity is about more output per person." The transition is not driven by any end goal in terms of staff numbers.
Delegates noted that members are very concerned about job security, and that the transition process has only been smooth up until this point because members have been assured in good faith that redundancies will be kept to a minimum. Delegates made it very clear that this attitude could change quickly and that the PSA will not support a process that includes unnecessary job cuts.
PAY SYSTEM
McKay commented in his introduction that he is pleased councils are moving from an entitlement approach to a performance-based system for pay. Delegates outlined a number of member concerns about performance pay including that it is unfair, time-wasting, creates a competitive work environment, and that the processes aren't transparent. McKay said that he has some sympathy with these concerns, and won't set up a performance pay system until he is satisfied that it will work effectively, but doesn't want to commit to a pay system that inhibits the opportunity for flexibility in the future. The PSA is committed to negotiating for a fair pay scale to be included in the collective agreement.
PSA’S VISION FOR THE NEW COUNCIL
Delegates noted that it makes sense to pick the best systems and policies from each of the existing councils and transfer these to the Auckland Council, and McKay agreed. Delegates emphasised that the union has a crucial role in helping to identify the best attributes from each.
Delegates reminded McKay that most people choose to work in the public sector because they believe in providing a good public service. The Auckland Council will lose talented, experienced staff if people feel that they are no longer able to provide a good service. Delegates reminded McKay that he needs us and we need him - that we need to work together if we are to succeed in creating a new council with happy, productive and effective staff that provide a world class public service.
Where to from here
Delegates felt that the meeting was positive and engagement was good. The delegates spoke articulately about issues affecting members, and created a great platform for a strong working relationship with McKay. McKay agreed to regular 4-weekly meetings with the regional delegates. This signals that he recognises the strength of the union and is committed to working effectively with us.
Remember to contact your delegate with any issues affecting you through the transition!
PSA delegates were interviewed on TV ONE new and Prime News when all local government workersin Auckland received letters advising them about their employment status. Watch the clips here:
Working towards your new collective agreement
There are 16 different PSA collective employment agreements (CEAs) across 16 Auckland councils and local government organisations. Having a new single collective agreement in place for all members at the new Auckland Council before 1 November is a priority for the PSA. A single agreement will help protect your terms and conditions now and in the future. It will ensure your union has a role to play in the new Council and will promote PSA membership to new employees and non-union employees.
CONSOLIDATION OF CEAS - DRAFT SINGLE AGREEMENT
PSA organisers and ATA officials are meeting weekly to determine the common provisions in the different CEAs and to consolidate them in one single agreement. Getting a new collective pay system into the agreement is one of the bigger and more important tasks.
MEMBER MEETINGS – BARGAINING COMMITTEE
Once the draft agreement is prepared meetings will be held throughout the region to get members' views and make any necessary changes to the draft agreement. These meetings will also choose the delegates to be part of the PSA bargaining committee.
BARGAINING
Once the draft agreement is ready PSA will enter into formal bargaining with the interim chief executive of the new Auckland Council. Because of the preparation work done in the pre-bargaining stage bargaining may be straightforward and could be finished quite quickly.
MEMBERS' VOTE
Once the bargaining was finished the PSA would have a proposed new single collective employment agreement. This agreement will need to be voted on by members. If the majority of members vote ‘Yes’ the agreement will be in place from 1 November. If members vote ‘No’ we will need to discuss with members the options available, and how they may need to support the bargaining committee.
COUNCIL CONTROLLED ORGANISATIONS(CCOs)
Despite widespread public (and PSA) opposition it seems likely the Government will set up a number of CCOs, including the Auckland Transport Agency and Watercare Services. If you are moving to a CCO you will be not be covered by the Auckland Council CEA. Our aim however is to have consistent terms and conditions across the region. The PSA will enter into separate bargaining with the chief executives of the CCOs, taking the Auckland Council CEA as the desired model.
PSA consulted over job notifications
About 7500 Council staff are receiving letters from the Auckland Tranistion Agency(ATA) about their employment status in the new Auckland council. According to the New Zealand Herald, there will be no change or only minor changes for 3486 frontline staff. Other jobs remain uncertain. The PSA is working with the ATA during the difficult change process. Read the NZ Herald article. Listen to RNZ's Morning Report item.
Auckland restructuring and local communities
The latest issue of Local Matters, the newsltter of the Institute of Public Policy, takes a look at the implications of the Auckland restructuring for the well-being of Auckland's communities.
Read it here.
PSA submits to the ATA on CCOs
The PSA Auckland local government regional delegates committee has discussed and provided feedback on the PSA submission. The committee is made up of delegate representatives from the different local government councils and institutions in Auckland with PSA membership.
We acknowledge that the legislation determining the governance of Council-controlled organisations (CCOs) is going through Parliament and there may be some changes as a result of the submissions. We note that there has been considerable media comment and public concern about the CCO governance structure and appointment process.
The PSA supports the view that too many functions and powers are being delegated to CCOs which do not have strong accountability links to the Auckland Council. We believe government would be wise to revisit its thinking on these matters.
Read the submission here.
Auckland ‘super city’ legislation needs fixing
The government risks losing skilled and experienced workers needed to run Auckland’s new ‘super city’.
The PSA has 2700 members working for Auckland’s eight local authorities and council controlled organisations such as Manukau Water.
Their views are expressed in the union’s submission being presented this morning to the Auckland governance legislation select committee. The committee is reviewing the legislation establishing the single Auckland Council. Read on.
Read the PSA submission on the Local Government(Auckland Reform) Bill
Pictured: PSA staff and delegates together with Amalgamated Workers representatives at the Select Committee appearance.
Support for PSA members (mapping and matching)
Staff forums
Over the next week or so staff forums will be held for staff at the different councils and council organisations to explain the process of the transfer of employment (mapping and matching). There will be a large number of these forums, organised at short notice but where possible PSA organisers and PSA delegates will be in attendance.
Delegates to support staff during staff transfer
There are a number of PSA delegates and officials working to support staff during the transfer process:
Special transition delegates
These delegates are taking time off from their regular council jobs. They are being specially trained to understand the process and support members during the transition.
• Geoff Pitman – Rodney District (to be confirmed)
• Jane Watts – North Shore City
• Yvonne Bohn – Auckland City
• Kevin Wilkie, Annette Smithard – Waitakere City
• Judy Ackery – Manukau City
Regional delegates
Members of the regional delegates committee, representing each council and council organisation:
• Geoff Pitman – Rodney District
• Chris Randell – North Shore City
• Yvonne Bohn – Auckland City
• Kitch Cuthbert – Waitakere City
• Judy Ackery, Benedict Ferguson – Manukau City
• Robert McSpadden – Papakura District
• Sally McComb – Franklin District
• Dominic McCarthy – Auckland Regional Council
• Robert Gallagher – Watercare
• George Sio – Manukau Water
Worksite delegates
There are around 100 PSA local government delegates in the Auckland region based at most of the different councils, organisations and worksites.
PSA organisers
There are 4 PSA local government organisers:
• Paul.McFarland@psa.org.nz
• Karel.Kivits@psa.org.nz
• Glen.Cooper@psa.org.nz
• Brendon.Lane@psa.org.nz
PSA organising centre
KeepAucklandWorking@psa.org.nz
Toll free phone: 0508 367 772
PSA active in the transition
There is now less than 10 months to go before the transition to the new Auckland Council and its associated organisations. The PSA has set up a number of transition projects with the aims of protecting member’s employment and employment conditions, and ensuring the least disruption possible to members. PSA officials are working on these projects along with your local government delegates.
Staff transition processes and protocols
How the ATA approaches the transfer of staff is very important to PSA members. Government legislation meant the Auckland Transition Agency (ATA) had to develop a change management plan that includes protocols and processes for managing staff transition. Over the next few months most staff will go through a process of being allocated to their new position in the new Council (‘matching and mapping’) and will be reliant on a fair process.
PSA officials and delegates met with ATA officials to develop these processes. We have a constructive working relationship with ATA, and continue to meet on a regular basis to discuss the detail of transfer and associated change management matters.
Transfer of employment (matching and mapping)
Staff forums
Over the next few weeks staff forums will be held throughout the different councils and council organisations to explain the process of the transfer of employment (matching and mapping). There will be a large number of these forums but where possible PSA organisers and PSA delegates will be in attendance to support members.
Low level change and dispute resolution
We suggested to the ATA that where staff has less significant but still important issues relating to the proposed change to their position these are dealt with at the lowest possible level within the organisation. An example might be how a member resolves any problems raised by small changes in their work hours or a minor location change. We are pleased that this approach has been taken up by the ATA. This should mean members can work through most problems, with the support of a delegate, without needing to raise a formal employment relationship problem.
Support for major change
If the low level resolution does not solve the problem for the member or the change the member faces is major and significant full support will be available from the PSA local government organisers and delegates. An example could be a member facing redundancy - that is no position to move to, or a major change in their work location.
New collective terms and conditions
Staff transferring to the new Auckland Council need to have their working conditions protected as far as possible so they are the same on day one of the new council as they were on the last day of the old. We also need to recognise there are currently a number of different Collective Employment Agreements (CEA) with different councils / employers.
Together with the ATA we are working on a project looking at existing collective agreements with the aim of creating a new set of terms and conditions before November 1. This means the PSA members transferring to the new Council would move onto a new CEA. This may also mean some change in your current terms and conditions.
For staff transferring to one of the Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) the new Agreement may also apply, or it will at least form the basis of their core terms and conditions.
At some point in the project PSA members will need to give their agreement to any new CEA. This project is complex so it is unlikely formal discussions with members will happen until the second half of the year.
Submission on the third bill
The Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill is the final piece of legislation to set up the new Auckland Council on 1 November this year. It is now in Parliament and has been referred to a select committee to hear submissions and report back to Parliament.
The Bill is large and complex, and many parts of it are technical (i.e. they amend or repeal other Acts) and not of great significance to PSA members’ jobs. However, it does contain the framework for how jobs will be transferred and the requirements regarding redundancy and compensation. This will be the principal focus of our submission to the select committee. The PSA will also for ask for delegates and officials to speak to the Select Committee, if they have public hearings (yet to be confirmed).
We will also be submitting on:
CCOs and privatisation
Local government services should be provided within Council by Council employed staff. Public assets should remain within public hands. We want consistent employment terms and conditions and transition processes for all local government employees (whether employed direct by Auckland Council or by a CCO).
Local boards and representation
Maori, Pacific, and other community representation
Lobbying MPs
Last year PSA delegates met a number of Auckland MPs to make them aware of the issues facing local Auckland government workers. We will continue these meetings this year.
PSA submission on third Bill
The Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill is the final piece of legislation to set up the new Auckland Council on 1 November this year. It is now in Parliament and has been referred to the Auckland Governance Legislation Select Committee to hear submissions and report back to Parliament.
You can find the Bill
online here.
What we will be saying:
The Bill is large and complex, and many parts of it are technical (i.e. they amend or repeal other Acts) and not of great significance to PSA members’ jobs. However, it does contain the framework for how jobs will be transferred and the requirements regarding redundancy and compensation. These aspects will be the principal focus of our submission to the select committee. The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) will be submitting on behalf of other interested unions. The PSA will also for ask for delegates and officials to speak to the Select Committee, if they have public hearings (yet to be confirmed).
1. EMPLOYMENT TRANSFERS
See attached a short detailed guide for members on what the Bill says about employee transfer – see
Employment Transfers Guide .
The Auckland Transition Agency (ATA) is also working on a change management plan, which will guide how staff transfer to roles in the new Council. PSA is working closely with ATA on this, and it will be the document that guides the detailed aspects of transfer. The legislation provides the framework within which the change management plan will operate.
2. CCOs AND PRIVATISATION
The PSA position on Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) and privatisation has remained consistent since the Royal Commission first started the process of changing Auckland’s governance. Local government services should be provided within Council by Council employed staff. Public assets should remain within public hands.
The new structure of Auckland local government does include CCOs including some major organisations such as the Auckland Transport Agency and Watercare Services. We want consistent employment terms and conditions and transition processes for all local government employees (whether employed direct by Auckland Council or by a CCO). We also want high levels of direct involvement and control by Council and Councillors in the boards of the CCOs.
3. LOCAL BOARDS – ROLE AND FUNCTION
There has been public concern about ‘weak’ Local Boards, i.e. they have limited powers. We support the principle of strong Local Boards with control over as much local services and affairs as possible without compromising regional needs.
4. MAORI REPRESENTATION
Consistent with the PSA commitment to Treaty principles we support the call for Maori representation on the new Council. We also want Council to offer the best possible engagement for the Pacific communities and other significant communities of interest.
Timetable:
Fri 5 Feb: feedback from members and delegates to the PSA closes
Fri 12 Feb: last day for PSA written submission to the Select Committee
? PSA speaks to the Select Committee public
Feedback:
• To your local PSA organiser
• Email direct to the PSA :
keepaucklandworking@psa.org.nz
ATA release Feedback and Decisions on Discussion Document
The Discussion Document on Organisational Structure and Staff Transition has been finalised . The PSA submitted twice on this document, copies of the submissions are available from PSA organisers.
Last piece of legislation – the third Bill
The Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill has been released by the Government. This is the third and final bill that deals with the set up of the new Auckland Council. It will go to a Select Committee who will hear submissions on it at the beginning of next year. The Bill is a major document and can found here.
PSA officials and the Regional Delegates Committee will be preparing the PSA submission on the bill soon after New Year. If you have any feedback please get it to your local delegates committee or to one of the regional delegates or to a PSA organiser as soon as possible.
Have Your Say – Interactive survey on NZ Herald website
The Herald on Sunday and online research experts Buzz Channel are taking a nationwide poll on the Supercity plans. We're looking for views from greater Auckland and throughout New Zealand. "It has been difficult to understand what New Zealanders think about the Super City plans," said Mary Vance, director of Buzz Channel. "We all know what Rodney Hide thinks, what the Government thinks, and that some existing councils have not embraced the idea. But what do we think - the people who are going to pay for the amalgamation, and live with the decisions being taken on our behalf? "With the help of the Herald on Sunday we want this to be a wide, true, and authoritative study that lets us all finally understand what New Zealanders expect, and hope, for Auckland."
Click here to take part in the survey, and look for the results in the Herald on Sunday and on nzherald.co.nz during January.
PSA submits on ATA processes for recruitment and job matching
The PSA is supportive of the ATA’s objective to “undertake a recruitment process that is transparent, fair and equitable from the viewpoint of applicants”. Read the submission here..
Union success at the Auckland Museum
The PSA has signed a collective agreement with the Auckland Museum (joint agreement with the Amalgamated Workers Union).
This is the first collective agreement the members at the Museum have had for 20 years, and only the second PSA collective at a major museum in New Zealand. It has been a long struggle to build a PSA presence at the Auckland Museum especially against the background of the extensive restructuring that occurred 18 months ago which led to 60 staff being made redundant. The new agreement contains improved protections and security for members.
PSA members have not only their first agreement, they have also negotiated an across the board pay increase for union members. They rejected the proposed performance linked pay regime which is now in place for non-union staff. It's a significant achievement, especially for workers in the local government public service sector where unfair performance linked pay is common.
PSA delegates and members have played a key role in achieving this agreement. They have organised themselves every step of the way and ensured that PSA membership has increased almost threefold even in spite of the loss of many members during the restructuring.
Encouraging signs on retaining Auckland’s local government workers
The Public Service Association says there are encouraging signs that the Cabinet has listened to the union in its call to hold onto Auckland’s local government workforce in the creation of the new ‘super city.’
Read on. Local Government Commission Proposals
The Local Government Commission proposals for Auckland's wards, local boards and boundaries deal with one of the most important elements in Auckland's new governance structure. The Local Government Centre has prepared a special edition of its newsletter,
Local Matters, designed to help people reflect on the Commission's proposals and whether they best meet Auckland's needs.
You can download the newsletter articles
here.
The Local Government Commissions proposals can be accessed
here. Remember, submissions close with the Commission on Friday 11 December at 5pm.
PSA Submission to the Auckland Transition Agency
The PSA submission to the ATA states: "PSA members believe that, in principle, services should be retained in-house and should not be outsourced to Council Controlled Organisations or private providers unless there is a compelling reason for this mode of service delivery". Read the submission here.
We’re pleased the ATA has listened to our call to retain staff
The PSA is pleased the Auckland Transition Agency has listened to the union and recognised the importance of retaining Auckland’s local government workers in the transition to the ‘super city.’
On Mon 2 Nov the Auckland Transition Agency released a discussion document outlining its proposed structure for the new Council. The document includes protocols and processes for the transition of current local government staff from their existing councils and organisations.
Read on.
Government misses change again
The PSA wants protection for staff written into one of the laws that will be passed to set up the new Council. It wasn’t in the first law the Government passed in May and it looks like it’s not going to be in the second bill currently back into Parliament. The final Auckland bill is due at the end of the year. Local Government Minister Rodney Hide and the National / ACT Government must come to the party. Council staff need a firm guarantee they will move to the new Council and local government services will not be cut.
Part of the Keep Auckland Working campaign is about putting pressure on the Government to guarantee jobs and terms and conditions are safe during the transition to the new Auckland Council. You can get involved by:
• Getting the petition signed – take it around your workplace, your friends and family and your community
groups. You can download the petition from the PSA Keep Auckland Working website;
• Helping with the visiting of MPs – contact PSA organiser Brendon Lane, email
brendon.lane@psa.org.nz; New Regional Transport Agency
The government has confirmed that a new agency will be established to deliver transport projects and services across Auckland. The new Regional Transport Agency will replace the current nine separate Auckland transport entities and will be responsible for all local authority transport in Auckland, including local roads and public transport. The new agency will be partly modelled on the NZ Transport Agency which operates at a national level.
The work the PSA and the ATA are doing around the transition will also apply to staff moving to the new Agency. If you work in transport and want to get involved contact PSA organiser, Paul McFarland email : paul.mcfarland@psa.org.nz .
Auckland Supercity legislation passed
The Government's legislation setting up Auckland's new super city council was passed by Parliament on a vote of 64 to 58 after a long debate under urgency. Read on.
Akld Transition Agency must act on super city committee report
The PSA has called on the Auckland Transition Agency to act on the super city select committee report which supports the PSA’s calls to maintain the Auckland local government workforce. “The committee has given a clear signal to the Auckland Transition Agency to retain as many of Auckland’s skilled and experienced local government workers as practicable as it makes the transition to a single Auckland council,” says PSA national secretary, Richard Wagstaff.
The Auckland governance legislation select committee has issued its report after hearing more than 800 oral submissions during public hearings on the Government's ‘super city’ plan for Auckland. Read on.