Out@PSA is getting active at Pride celebrations and beyond
In the workplace union members seek to be visible, vocal and valued but for some workers being visible is a risk - not a right they are afforded.
Out@PSA seeks to be an active presence in the union and communities to promote diverse, respectful and inclusive workplaces.
As a network we come together to offer support and representation to members across the spectrum of sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. Our goal is to allow members to go to work as their whole selves, with dignity and without compromise.
CHALLENGING PREJUDICES
The ambition and purpose of much of Out@PSA’s work is to challenge the prejudices and ignorance that still exist in workplaces and New Zealand society.
The union movement and queer activism aren’t strange bedfellows as our core work is the same. Queer activism is transformative. The work of the union movement is transformative.
Both activist movements stand together in their desire to build stronger communities and influence public opinion. Out@PSA keeps a foot in both camps, lifting up our members and communities through the work of both.
NETWORK BUILDING
Jacob Crown, Out@PSA Convenor
Our network has been simmering away lately looking to ensure the foundations are growing.
Beyond getting out and visible at Pride events we’ve been looking at strategies to build our network members up to be champions in their workplace and ensuring the PSA continues to be an inclusive and welcoming union for all.
We want our members to feel confident as rainbow workers but we also want them to use their passion to leave their workplaces and the union movement better. To this end we have begun exploring model clauses and how measures like the Rainbow Standard, which the PSA assisted in developing, may be used.
STAND WITH US
The work of Out@PSA is for everyone. We often come together under the banner ‘an injury to one is an injury to all,’ standing proud as champions of equality.
For these positions to hold weight we need to make sure that among us can be found the full spectrum of the rainbow workforce.
So go out and build solidarity with our communities. Meet us at the Pride festivals and events happening across the country. Stand with your rainbow colleagues by challenging ignorance and prejudice in your workplace.
Contact us at out@psa.org.nz to get involved.
Nā Caleb Gordon
Out@psa Convenor
From November 18 New Zealand women effectively began working for free until the end of the year because of the 11.9% pay gap between men and women.
As women began working for free in New Zealand on November 18, the PSA was working hard on a number of fronts to close the gender pay gap.
Local government library assistants launched a campaign on November 22 to raise awareness of their equal pay claim and the work they do.
More than a third of PSA members or 27,291 of you shared your pay information with us in our first union-wide pay survey in September.
The CTU Biennial conference in October was an opportunity to reflect on the significant gains made for working people during the Government’s first two years in power - and to challenge it to go further.
The PSA and other unions believe Fair Pay Agreements will offer a fairer deal for many of this country’s most vulnerable workers.
PSA members were to the fore as the Public Service Day awards
were announced in November.
Inspirational speeches at this year’s PSA Youth Hui have propelled Elvisa Van Der Leden into a seat at the council table.
There’s a mix of old and new amongst the Sector Māngai elected at Public Sector, DHB and Combined sector hui in August and September.
Appearing before the Māori Affairs Select Committee to speak to the Inquiry into Health Inequities for Māori was “awe-inspiring” for Allan Franks.
From small town Aotearoa to the United Nations – it’s been a big year for one PSA member from Te Puni Kokiri.
The 100th anniversary of the International Labour Organisation this year is a timely reminder of its continued relevance.
The PSA is hosting regional and online health forums in December to give members another opportunity to have their say in the reshaping of services.
PSA delegate Kelly Broerse says her colleagues at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) in Auckland are used to her showing up at work with black eyes and bruises.
Geologist, science communicator and PSA member Hamish Campbell can look back on forty years of “exploration, adventure and discovery” as he retires this year.