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.
More than 10,000 people signed the Council of Trade Unions petition.
It seeks an increase in paid sick leave from 5 to 10 days, the removal of the six month stand down for sick leave when you start a new job, and for sick leave to be made available for caring for dependents.
Bob and his wife Gay, say adequate sick leave provisions are important for support workers like themselves.
“We have to be particularly careful as we come into contact with so many vulnerable people,” Bob says.
Both have also been affected by cancer, with Bob needing to take time off recently due to skin cancer, while Gay is now on leave without pay while undergoing chemotherapy.
COVID LEAVE EXTENSION
The petition also calls for the Covid-19 leave support scheme to be extended for the next year to cover anyone with Covid-19 symptoms, including those who are waiting to be referred for testing or waiting for results.
“Covid-19 has really focused our minds on the importance of staying home when you are sick,” says CTU President Richard Wagstaff.
“But the current reality of a legal minimum of 5 days sick leave is unrealistic in achieving the goal of people staying away from work if they are unwell.”
A UMR poll released by the CTU found 63% want the Covid-19 leave scheme to expand to cover people with symptoms waiting for test results.
It also found 68% of New Zealanders support increasing paid minimum sick leave.
The petition also calls for the scrapping of the previous Government’s law change that can require a doctor’s certificate after just one day of sick leave.
Safer Sick Leave is one of the CTU’s election priorities.
Issues
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Also in this issue:
Committing to Wellbeing
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.
Aotearoa Wellbeing Commitment: Key First Steps
So how can we build a better Aotearoa together? Here are the first steps towards fulfilling the Aotearoa Wellbeing Commitment.
Support Builds for Aotearoa Wellbeing Commitment
PSA members and the wider union movement are voicing their support for the Aotearoa Wellbeing Commitment.
New Act affirms right to political expression
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.
New law a pathway for pay equity
It was a moment to savour for all of us who have been campaigning for pay equity.
Supporting our Frontline Workers
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.
“The virus doesn’t discriminate, neither should we”
PSA Pasefika union members have been voicing their support for the Pasefika community during the latest Covid outbreak.
Reflections of a Webinar MC
Our Progressive Thinking webinar series has provided an opportunity for conversations about new ‘Perspectives on the Future of Public and Community Services’.
Raising waka, not just yachts
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.
Raising waka: Reflections from Te Rūnanga
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.
“We did good”
Union members are celebrating two new collective employment agreements in the community and public service sector
Unions seek election commitments for workers
Here's what the Council of Trade Unons is asking the political parties to commit to this election:
Attacks on Filipino Unionists Condemned
The murders of dozens of trade unionists in the Philippines sparked a protest in Wellington in July.
On the Job
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.
An amazing four years
Tēnā tātou katoa
It is with mixed feelings that I sit down to write my last message to you all as PSA President.
Climate Change is a whole of union issue
Kia ora PSA members!
Climate change is something that will impact every living thing on our planet. Should we as union members be actively working to fight it? Should climate change be one of our Strategic Goals?
News in Brief
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.
Te Tohu Reorua: Bilingual Signage
While we've just celebrated Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, there are many ways we can help promote the language all year round.
Around and About Pics
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.
