As we count down to Election 2020 we face a choice.
This year we have seen our government and other nations take action on a massive scale to protect citizens from the economic shocks of a global pandemic.
In Aotearoa, billions have been spent shielding workers from the blows of job losses and income cuts, making public transport free during lockdown, and offering training to people affected by the Covid crisis.
For years we were told all this was impossible. But that’s clearly not the case.
It begs the question – is now the right time for New Zealand to pursue bold, transformative change?
We believe our members don’t want to go back to the way we were, to an Aotearoa of inequity, where too many people are left struggling to make ends meet.
We want to live in a country that commits to the wellbeing of its citizens, with universal and free basic services that enable us all to participate and prosper.
That’s why we’re asking the politicians to sign up to the Aotearoa Wellbeing Commitment – a collection of universal and free public services including healthcare, education, housing, income support, public transport, and internet.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
This election is your opportunity to choose the politicians you think will be bold enough to take up the challenge.
You can see what the political parties think of the Aotearoa Wellbeing Commitment in our election pull-out or go to www.letsdoevenbetter.nz/party-positions
You can spread the word about our Let’s Do Even BETTER election campaign by sharing our posts on social media. www.letsdoevenbetter.nz/get_involved
And we’ve created postcards so you can send a message of support for the Aotearoa Wellbeing Commitment to the leader of the party that you believe will form the next Government. www.letsdoevenbetter.nz/send_a_postcard
HAVE YOUR SAY
Most importantly, you can get out and vote, and encourage others to vote too.
If we each commit to making sure our friends, family, whānau, and neighbours are enrolled to vote and actually cast their vote, we are going a long way to achieving the Aotearoa Wellbeing Commitment.
Making a plan to vote involves checking if those people are enrolled, and talking with them to work out where their nearest polling booth is, when is the best day for them to vote, and picking a time to make it happen.
Visit our enrolment centre to work out a plan to get ten people you know to enrol and vote. www.letsdoevenbetter.nz/get_out_to_vote
Remember early voting starts on October 3.
Main picture caption: Rūnanga Rangatahi Rep Lizzie Wichman supporting our Aotearoa Wellbeing Commitment election campaign
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.
Tēnā tātou katoa
It is with mixed feelings that I sit down to write my last message to you all as PSA President.
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.