Tēnā tātou katoa
It is with mixed feelings that I sit down to write my last message to you all as PSA President.
It’s been an amazing four years for me, which will come to a close with the election of a new president at Congress in November.
As President, I’ve met so many fantastic members and delegates and been so proud to hear you making your voices heard in select committees and other forums.
It’s made a huge difference to the passing of legislation such as the Equal Pay Amendment Act and the Public Service Act.
I am also heartened that in my time as President our membership has grown from 62,000 in September 2016 to more than 76,000 today. Even in these unsettling times we are still growing as more and more people join our union whānau.
I am pleased too by the growth of our PSA networks. We are more than just an industrial organisation. We are a union that caters to the diverse needs of our members.
FAREWELLING FRIENDS
I thank all the union friends and colleagues I have worked with over the last four years including PSA vice presidents Peter Robertshaw and Benedict Ferguson, and other members of the Executive Board and staff. Your support has been amazing.
I also want to acknowledge the awhi of Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina, including Kuia Georgina Kerr and Kaumatua Kiwhare Mihaka who have helped me on my journey to improve my knowledge of tikanga and te reo Māori.
I am going to miss you all, but I am also looking forward to spending more time with friends and family.
TIME FOR SOLIDARITY
As I prepare to say good bye I am aware of the challenging times we are facing. It is important that we continue to stand together in solidarity.
Let’s show our support for our members that may be fearful for their jobs, members who may still be working on the COVID frontline without adequate PPE or sick leave, and our members who are doing their best to keep us safe at the border. We are all in this together.
Let’s also support our campaign for the Aotearoa Wellbeing Commitment at election time. It’s a campaign for universal and free public services which will ensure that no one is left behind as we rebuild a New Normal from the Covid Crisis.
Finally, let’s keep pursuing our union goals of equal pay, stronger public and community services, transformed work and being a strong, modern and influential union to ensure all New Zealanders have access to equitable and well-funded services and the state becomes an exemplar employer.
Haere ora, Haere pai
Janet Quigley
PSA President
This election we’re asking the politicians to commit to providing a collection of public services that will help ensure the wellbeing of New Zealanders.
So how can we build a better Aotearoa together? Here are the first steps towards fulfilling the Aotearoa Wellbeing Commitment.
PSA members and the wider union movement are voicing their support for the Aotearoa Wellbeing Commitment.
In the lead-up to the general election, the PSA welcomes the new Public Service Act’s affirmation that public servants have the same rights of political expression and freedoms as all other New Zealanders.
It was a moment to savour for all of us who have been campaigning for pay equity.
The people who work on our border and in managed isolation and quarantine facilities are among those doing it tough as the battle against Covid-19 continues.
PSA Pasefika union members have been voicing their support for the Pasefika community during the latest Covid outbreak.
Our Progressive Thinking webinar series has provided an opportunity for conversations about new ‘Perspectives on the Future of Public and Community Services’.
Covid-19 has revealed how institutions in Te Ao Māori can react decisively and positively on behalf of their people, DR AMOHIA BOULTON and DEB TE KAWA write in their chapter in our Progressive Thinking series.
Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina KUIA GEORGINA KERR supports the assessment of Progressive Thinking authors Dr Amohia Boulton and Deb Te Kawa that the overall Māori response to the initial Covid crisis was exceptionally well done.
Union members are celebrating two new collective employment agreements in the community and public service sector
Here's what the Council of Trade Unons is asking the political parties to commit to this election:
PSA delegate Bob Renshaw was among the essential workers who presented a petition calling for safer sick leave to Workplace Relations Minister Andrew Little on September 1.
The murders of dozens of trade unionists in the Philippines sparked a protest in Wellington in July.
Donna Wealleans says support workers are told they shouldn’t get attached to their clients. But she believes you shouldn’t be doing the job if you don’t care.
Kia ora PSA members!
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Protests at proposed cuts at Canterbury DHB, a campaign for home support with dignity, the PSA member card goes digital and other stories feature in our News in Brief.
While we've just celebrated Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, there are many ways we can help promote the language all year round.
Photos from protests against proposed cuts at Canterbury DHB, and attacks on Filipino unionists, along with the presentation of the Safer Sick Leave petition feature in our Around and About pages.