By Elizabeth Orr
At the beginning of her memoir Elizabeth Orr pledges to tell the truth about the fight for pay equity for women, her reasoning being that it has lessons for the future.
Born in 1929, Elizabeth was a trade union leader, involved in the formation of the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (NACEW), and in the passing of the Equal Pay Act in 1972.
Elizabeth Orr
Her memoir has fascinating details of the fight for equal pay, culminating in the Kristine Bartlett case, but it is not at all a dry retelling of that fight. It is a wonderful story of life in New Zealand, told in a gentle, authentic voice.
I enjoyed the story she tells of discovering an unknown part of her own story when she realises one of the women in a photo of a PSA equal pay campaign committee circa 1943 is her aunt Oenone Greig.
Elizabeth has been a friend and colleague to many others within the PSA .The book is available from steeleroberts.co.nz
Nā Nanette Cormack
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Also in this issue:
‘We thank you for your brave stand’
As forty or so people gathered in the blazing Wairarapa sun, only two had ever joined a protest before in their lives. Within twenty minutes, they were leading their own chants and you could hear them for miles.
“Remember the loss but also remember the hope”
PSA delegate Benjamin Gresham says the Christchurch Invitation is a call to spread peace, reconnect, and feed the hungry - which draws on the teachings of the Muslim tradition.
Leading the charge on contractor rights
The PSA made a change to its rules in 2018 by enabling contractors and labour hire workers to become members.
Make it Real
Their work often goes unnoticed - but they’re the ones that keep organisations running smoothly, the ones you turn to when things go wrong, the ones that are first to greet the public.
Mana Wahine Claim goes to Waitangi
The stall gave us an opportunity to kōrero kanohi ki te kanohi with the wider community about the kaupapa of Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina’s Waitangi Tribunal claim.
Opportunities and issues with new bill
The PSA welcomes most aspects of the bill - but there are issues it does not address and we drew these to the attention of the select committee.
"We have come too far to not go further"
The Public Service in its current form is failing Māori. This is abundantly clear as Māori are over-represented in all negative social statistics. We need a public service that delivers for Māori.
We Count
More than 30% of lesbian, gay and bisexual public service workers who responded to the State Service Commission’s We Count Survey last year reported being uncomfortable being open or out at work.
The PSA’s greatest victory?
On 29 March 1974 more than 600 uniformed school dental nurses proceeded silently down Wellington’s Lambton Quay. It was, as one observer noted, “almost certainly the largest demonstration of women since the days of the suffragettes”.
Maranga Mai
The guiding purpose of Maranga mai o ngā whakangungu ā rohe is to enable Māori delegates to use their perspective and experience to advocate for Te Tiriti o Waitangi in their workplaces.
Pacific organisers speak of challenges and triumphs
The organisers from Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Australia, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands were attending the International Trade Union Confederation-Asia Pacific workshop in Nadi in November.
Climate Talk
Tried talking to your Dad about the bushfires in Australia only to discover he’s a climate change denier?
Holiday Home Snaps
The snaps from holiday home stays around the country show just how much fun and relaxation our PSA accommodation has to offer .
The Marlene Pitman Award
This award was originally created in honour of Marlene Pitman, who passed away on 16th January 2010, to recognise her membership and service of 25 years. As an activist at Child Youth and Family, she was convenor of the Social Services sector committee and an executive board member for 2 years, a delegate for 23 years and a hardworking member of Te Komiti o Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina.
Radio NZ
A groundswell of public and political opposition to that plan soon led to a backdown from the RNZ Board and management.
New CTU Secretary Looks to the Future
“I had completed a conjoint arts and law degree so the position tapped into my passion for drama and the arts as well as my knowledge of employment law and policy,” the 31 year-old recalls.
Leading the Way
“As a child I thought everyone had a Mum and Dad who cared about them,” says the Ngāti Kahungunu wahine who grew up in a loving whānau environment.
On the Job
“I can help with mental and physical health problems. I want to provide a service where they don’t need to see lots of people.
Te Reo o te Tari
*Good morning.* Mōrena/Ata mārie. *Welcome to (workplace).* Nau mai ki . *Are you busy?* He nui ō mahi? *I am very busy!* He tino nui aku mahi! *No. I am not very busy. Kāo.* Kāore i nui aku mahi. Kei te aha koe? *What are you doing? *Kei te tuhituhi au. *I am writing. *Kei te mahi au.* I am working.*
