COVID VACCINATION
The PSA has been helping with vaccination education efforts by hosting webinars with microbiologist and New Zealander of the Year Dr Siouxsie Wiles.
Dr Wiles has been dispelling a few myths and answering questions from members about the Covid-19 vaccine.
She also took part in a Kōrero/Talanoa webinar for the wider Māori and Pasefika community which was co-hosted by National Māori Authority chair Matthew Tukaki and PSA Pasefika co-convenor ‘Ofeina Manuel-Barbarich.
For more information about vaccines go to www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-vaccines
CALLING OUT RACISM
The PSA Pasefika Network has also been speaking out about racist comments and discrimination experienced by community members after a Covid cluster was linked to a church service in Auckland.
PSA Pasefika condemned the racism and highlighted the positive contribution the community has been making to stamp out the Delta outbreak, including identifying contacts and locations of interest.
For further information on Covid-19 go to www.psa.org.nz/coronavirus
HELP FLOODS IN
When floods hit Westport in July, PSA delegate and Salvation Army volunteer Robyn Murray was one of the first to respond, opening an evacuation centre and caring for stranded residents and tourists.
When Te Mahinga Ora spoke with Robyn the evacuation centre was winding down and a day centre was ramping up.
Robyn said it had been an amazing time. “The last week has been exhausting, but I’ve found that no matter how much you are there for people and how much you give, you get back more. Helping gives you such a good feeling.”
“The connections I’ve made over the last week feel like family connections. We will always have something special in common.”
Thanks to all our members who helped support their communities through the flooding.
ERO WORKPLACE AGREEMENT
A new workplace relationship agreement between the PSA and the Education Review Office recognises the value of our members there, who work to provide a great service to schools, teachers and whānau.
The agreement has been three years in the making and sets out a shared commitment to guidelines to work constructively to create a positive and fair workplace.
ERO Delegates say it will enable them to raise member issues with management and to escalate them if necessary, along with establishing a framework for negotiations. The agreement also includes Te Tiriti principles, and protocols around delegate engagement and time commitments.
“The agreement enables members and management to work together to find mutually beneficial ways of addressing challenges,” says outgoing ERO PSA convenor Carole Bradley-Beale.
The Government’s new Workforce Policy Statement seeks to establish the Public Service as an exemplar employer, working collaboratively with unions.
PSA Assistant Secretary Basil Prestidge says agreements like ERO’s are a good step in the right direction.
“It’s great to see another good agreement that treats the PSA as a partner that has a vested interest in the well-being of both our members and the organisation they work for.”
IS YOUR MyPSA LOGIN ACTIVE?
We’re excited to announce the PSA website is getting a refresh. Complete with a new look, new navigation, and new features, the new website will be launching early 2022.
The new site will have an increased use of the MyPSA member-only portal, so if you haven’t already, make sure your MyPSA account is active and up-to-date at www.psa.org.nz/MyPSA.
The MyPSA member-only portal is the best place for you to access and update your PSA contact information. We recommend making a habit of logging in regularly to check we have the best details for you to ensure you don’t miss out on any essential PSA communications.
HELEN KELLY BOOK COMPETITION
We had a huge response to our competition for copies of the book Helen Kelly: Her Life.
The lucky winners were Natasha Hohaia from Oranga Tamariki, Esther Patti from Auckland DHB, Levin support worker Sara Berry, Geraldine Christmas from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Daryl McKay from Palmerston North Corrections and Ros Westerman from Southern DHB.
