Welcome to this special online edition of Te Mahinga Ora. We’ve produced an online only version of the journal this time round as a trial to see how it works for members. (The next edition will be a print version).
While the means of delivery has changed, this edition of Te Mahinga Ora is still packed with compelling content. In this issue you’ll find a reflection on the 2024 Congress theme, the story behind our landmark win in the Employment Relations Authority, a report back on the Hui Taumata and an update on the Fight Back Together hui planned for 23 October.
There are fascinating profiles of PSA delegate and disability support worker Pinky Kumawat in and living wage activist and author Lyndy McIntyre, and a giveaway of her book Power to Win, which tells the story of the Living Wage Movement.
Also featured is a story on the success of Samoa First Union in setting up Samoa’s first Workers Advice Centre and a review of Seeing Red, a documentary about PSA member Cecil Holmes.
This will be my last message in Te Mahinga Ora as my time as President ends at Congress 2024. It has been an absolute privilege to serve as your President over the past four years.
Over my time as President, it has been an honour to witness the work of members across all our sectors that has helped the country face the challenges of posed by an ageing and growing population, pandemics, an overstretched health system, severe weather events, and an ongoing technology revolution.
One of the commitments I made in 2020 when I was elected, was that I would keep our focus on growing the strength of our union. I am pleased to say over the past four years that we have grown from 76,000 members in 2020 to more than 95,000 members today.
The influence that our strong membership provides can be seen in many wins achieved in the past few years. These include negotiating the ground-breaking Public Service Pay Agreement (PSPA), the progress we have made in pay equity claims and our Kia Toipoto work, which is seeing a continued reductions in gender, Māori, Pacific and ethnic pay gaps (though there is still more to be done in these areas).
Another commitment I gave when elected as President was to elevate the voices of women, youth, Māori, and Pasifika within our union. Since then, we have appointed a Te Kaihautū Māori to lead Māori responsiveness across the union and Vā Moana Delegates were appointed to represent Pasefika interests. The ALMA Network has also been formed for those who identify with the many ethnic communities that make up our diverse membership.
Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina has continued to grow with nearly 11,000 members identifying as Māori. Our networks also continue to thrive, with Out@PSA growing by 22% in the past year. the Women’s network by 15%, PSA Youth by 13% and the Pasefika network by 11%.
Through the efforts of members, delegates, and staff over the past four years, our union remains in a strong position to strongly oppose job cuts, attacks on workers’ rights, cuts to public and community services and health care, and attacks on Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Thank you all for your commitment to the union movement and for building a better future for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Ngā mihi nui,
Benedict Ferguson
