Working Life - CLIMBING BACK TO FAIRNESS TRICK OR TREATY FIGHT FOR OUR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES - PSA
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Working Life
THE PSA JOURNAL MARCH 2018
CLIMBING BACK
TO FAIRNESS
TRICK OR TREATY
FIGHT FOR OUR MENTAL
HEALTH SERVICES
PROUD TO BE OUT
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contents
8-11
Climbing back to fairness
What's changed under the new government
Working Life:
the PSA Journal
12-13 20-21 26
Working Life is published quarterly.
Trick Road Solidarity
Views and opinions expressed in
Working Life do not necessarily or to equal across
represent PSA policy. Treaty pay sectors
Editor: Asher Wilson-Goldman.
Design & layout: Dan Phillips.
5 Remembering Helen 14-15 Yes we care
Contributors: Shelly Biswell,
Jessica Epps, Marianne Elliott,
Changing lives for Better mental health
Julie Fairey, Morgan Godfery, Ben the better services
Peterson, Jessica Williams, Asher
Wilson-Goldman, Jem Yoshioka. 8-11 Climbing back to 20-21 Road to equal pay
Printing: Webstar, Masterton. fairness
PSA Executive Board What's changed so far? 22 UK civil service
Janet Quigley (president), On the cusp of Brexit
Kathy Higgins, Caroline Fisher, 12-13 Trick or Treaty
Benedict Ferguson, Jacky Maaka,
Union solidarity 23 Railway workers
Gail Arthur, Marshall Tangaroa,
Lesley Dixon, Pania Love, with Māori Denied the right to strike
Erin Polaczuk and Glenn Barclay.
PSA contact details Regulars
PSA, PO Box 3817, Wellington.
Freephone 0508 FOR PSA 4 President’s message 19 Connected
(0508 367 772).
6-7 In brief Virtual reality
Email enquiries@psa.org.nz.
16 The workplace 24-25 Networks update
If you can't stand the heat 26-27 Bargaining update
17 Behind the scenes 28-29 Around & About
PSA delegate Pania Love 30: Last word
18 On the job Unsung heroes of local
Ciaran Doolin – meteorologist government
On the cover
PSA member Clare Meyer
enjoying Out In The Park
in Wellington.
www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018 3
President’s message
TĒNĀ KOUTOU I urge you all to attend your AMM –
talk with your delegate or organiser
WE’RE NOW SEVERAL months into
about when and where it’s happening
our new Labour – New Zealand First –
– and to consider putting yourself
Green Party Government, and already
forward as a delegate. Being a
there’s been plenty of changes to be
delegate is not only an important
pleased with. Our feature article this
role, it is also an amazing learning
issue (pages 8-11) takes a good look
opportunity. You’ll be given (free)
at the new government's plans for
training and support from PSA staff,
employment law, which reverse many
and who knows where it could take
of the anti-worker changes introduced
by their predecessors. you?
Our work lobbying and demanding of this is the PSA’s commitment to I’m so glad that I first stood as a
more change isn’t over though, not bicultural unionism and the proper delegate, many years ago – back then
by a long shot. While we have a recognition of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We I never would have imagined that
Government that is perhaps more invited unionist and Māori political one day you would elect me to be the
open to our ideas than previously, we commentator Morgan Godfery to president of our union, or that my role
still have to put in the mahi – meeting dig into what it means for our union would take me around New Zealand
with ministers, writing submissions movement to properly recognise Te and across the world to meet other
and campaigning publicly for the Tiriti, and you can read his article on unionists and share our successes and
issues we care about. pages 12-13. the lessons learned from our failures.
We are particularly glad to see that the In April, another part of building a As always, it is an honour for me to
Government has reconvened the Joint strong union structure will start, with lead our union, and I hope you see
Working Group, and will introduce Annual Members’ Meetings (AMM) yourself reflected in these pages.
the changes to the Equal Pay Act taking place across PSA worksites all
that will make it easier for women to over New Zealand. At these meetings, He aha te mea nui o te ao?
get paid fairly for our work. We want you’ll get a chance to raise issues, hear He tangata,he tangata, he tangata.
to see the kind of victories that our about what’s happening in other parts
fellow union members working in of our union, and to elect delegates Haere ora, Haere pai
aged and disability care achieved last who will represent you. Janet Quigley
year. You can find out more about this
on pages 20-21.
So many PSA members across the
country took part in our Yes We Care
campaign in the build up to the
election, fighting for better mental
services for the people who need
them and the staff who provide them.
PSA members are in both groups,
of course, and we will be closely
involved in the review (see pages
14-15) that the Government has
committed to, working on making real
improvements to this vital part of our
health system.
In order to increase our influence
politically, our union structure also
needs to be strong internally. Part
4 www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018
Union movement
Remembering Helen
There’s no question that the late union leader and activist Helen Kelly changed
many lives. In a soon-to-be-released documentary, film-maker Tony Sutorius
examined how Helen managed to touch so many people,
and, in the process, his own life changed too.
TONY AND HELEN had made films film, with the working title Helen that you should stick up for your
together for the Council of Trade Kelly’s Mates. mates. Helen showed that if you’re
Unions (CTU, the umbrella body for able to step outside your own
Tony explains where this comes
unions including the PSA) and, like cultural and social networks and
from: “She didn’t draw a line between
so many others found with Helen, get out into the world and engage
her personal and professional life.
their work relationship had led to a with people, it’s still there. So if it’s
People became her mates. It wasn’t
friendship. possible to harness it and awaken
about an issue any more. She had
people about what that means, it
When she stepped down as CTU mates, they were in trouble, they
becomes an incredible tool.”
president after being diagnosed with needed support and there she was. It
cancer, the two met for coffee and felt very simple and very right, a very And in the process, Tony found
Tony suggested a project. “I said, I Kiwi way to operate.” his outlook on his life and work
don’t know what you’re going to do The film is planned for cinema profoundly affected.
now, you probably don’t know either. release later in 2018, and the
But I have a feeling it would be a “It’s made me really question how
mission will be to get it screened
really good idea for me to tag along I used to make these intensely
as widely as possible. Tony wants
and film you doing it.” emotional films with people
New Zealanders to see this not just
and then say, ‘okay, that’s done
because of Helen’s remarkable work,
It was Helen’s unusual voice that thanks’. After watching Helen,
but also because of the wider themes
attracted Tony. He says she had a I couldn’t justify it any more. I
it raises.
way of talking which made issues become their mates and now I have
come alive, “it sounded like they “There’s a lot of deep ideas that responsibilities to them.
were people, instead of policy Helen brought alive about what I still play an active role in the Pike
screeds.” He wanted to get to the being a New Zealander is. We really River families’ groups. I can no
bottom of that, and the result is this like the idea of egalitarianism and longer walk away.”
www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018 5
INFeature
BRIEF
JOHN RAVLICH: 30 YEARS AND OUT
CONGRATULATIONS TO John
Ravlich, who has retired as a PSA
delegate after 30 years representing
and leading his colleagues at the
New Zealand Customs Service in
Auckland.
To recognise his hard work over
three decades, John was presented
with one of the PSA’s Delegate
Achievement Awards.
The Delegate Achievement Award
is second only in status to Life
Membership of the PSA, and
recognises “outstanding leadership
above and beyond the expected
duties.”
Fewer than 15 have been handed
out, and John is a worthy recipient.
John’s manager Brendon Pearce on commitment was required of
The presentation was made in a behalf of Customs. potential nominees.
ceremony at Auckland Customs
House in February, with PSA Following the presentation, PSA To find out more about the award,
vice-president Benedict Ferguson members undertook the challenging visit
handing over the award, along with task of finding a new delegate to psa.org.nz/at-work/psa-at-work/
words of recognition from replace John – though no 30-year delegate-awards/
COMPETITION & WINNERS
Anna used decoupage to raise up
some of the birds and added some
excellent looking googly eyes.
CONGRATULATIONS TO our book Truly above and beyond the average
winner, Susanne Markwitz. Susanne colouring in entry!
wins a copy of Tom Scott's hilarious Other winners are: Christine
and heartbreaking memoir, Drawn Molenaar, Isaac, Josh McMurray,
Out. and Amber.
Our summer colouring competition
was a huge hit again this year.
WIN AN OUT@PSA
Thanks to everyone who took the T-SHIRT!
time to enter! Our grand prize Send your name, phone number
winner is Anna Eades, age 10, who and shirt size to competition@psa.
sent in the most impressive entry. org.nz by May 4 to be in to win.
6 www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2017
INFeature
BRIEF
PSA STAFFER ELECTED TO WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL
FLEUR FITZSIMONS, who is part sworn in early February. She has been
of the PSA’s legal team, was elected given portfolio responsibility for the
as a Wellington City Councillor just Living Wage, recreation, city safety
before Christmas. As one of two (in particular addressing sexual
councillors for the Southern Ward, violence), and community facilities.
Fitzsimons replaces Paul Eagle who
was elected to Parliament as the new As well as her work for the PSA for a
MP for Rongotai (which includes the number of years, Fitzsimons was a
Southern Ward) three months earlier. leader in 26 For Babies, the campaign
for more paid parental leave, and
With an eventual majority of 332 previously she was a president of
votes, Fitzsimons beat seven other both local and national-level student Wellington City Councillor Fleur Fitzsimons and
candidates for the seat, and was unions. Mayor Justin Lester.
A NEW HOME FOR OUR DIGITAL ARCHIVE
DID YOU know we’ve had a journal Print to psa.recollect.co.nz. A much the archive with time, but for now,
since 1914? Did you know you can more robust search, more reliable enjoy a browse through our history.
browse the complete archives of our tools and a much more user-friendly
103-year history online? Well it’s true! interface are just some of the benefits Visit psa.recollect.co.nz and have
of the new system. a look through over a century of our
Our online archive has had a history.
makeover - We’ve moved from Out of We’re hoping to add and improve to
CALLING ALL FORMER TYPING POOL WORKERS!
EVEN BRIEFIER
ARE YOU a former public service website for more detail:
• WATCH the recorded
typing pool staffer – or do you know keystrokes.storycollective.nz/
live stream of our recent
someone who is? The Keystrokes Per
intervention and prevention
Minute project wants to talk to you!
of bullying seminar at
psa.org.nz/febseminar Keystrokes Per Minute is recording
• NZ is number 1 of the least the oral histories of people who
corrupt countries again, worked in typing pools from
with public servants playing 1945 to the present day. That
a huge part in this. Good job, includes typists, shorthand typists,
everyone! secretaries and modern-era
administrators. These are untold
• THE PSA now has a stories, covering the highly skilled
specialised growth team, work of the typing pool, the changes
who will be supporting in technology and the status of their
existing recruitment and profession.
organising. If you see
someone from our growth The project wants to span the
team make sure to say hi! decades – so if you’ve got a story
to tell, get in touch. Check out the
www.psa.org.nz Working Life June 2017 7
Feature
Climbing
back to
fairness
8 www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018
Feature
By Asher Wilson-Goldman
The last nine years saw PSA members consistently speaking out publicly
about unfair changes to how we negotiate better pay and conditions.
Now, with a new government sworn in, what’s changed?
FROM THE BAD… TO THE GOOD… simply being able to say no from
the start;
“Bad employers will be empowered “The industrial changes announced
by this law while our most vulnerable today start the process of returning to • Every worker will regain the
workers will be hurt.” a better quality of life for us all.” entitlement to rest and meal
breaks, and bosses will no longer
This quote, from PSA national The election of the Labour – NZ First
be able to force employees to
secretary Erin Polaczuk, summed up – Green Party Government brought
work non-stop without time to
hope for positive change, and as the
the attitude of more than 8000 PSA refresh;
above quote from Richard Wagstaff,
members who submitted against
president of the Council of Trade • New workers in workplaces
the former National Government’s
Unions, illustrates, the early signs with collective agreements will
changes to employment law in 2014. have been good. automatically go onto them, and
PSA members were as vocal as we’ve have 30 days to decide whether or
In late January, Workplace Relations
ever been, with 50 presenting in not they will join the union;
and Safety Minister Hon Iain Lees-
person to MPs to tell them why the Galloway introduced a new law that • Those same new workers will also
proposed laws would hurt working would get rid of some of the worst be given information about how
people. We made a powerful stand, changes brought in by the Key/ to join the union;
but the former Government didn’t English Government.
listen. • When unjustifiably dismissed,
Amongst the changes: workers will once again be able
Since then, we’ve seen bad employers • All collective agreements will to request a return to their role
use these laws to hurt unionised be required to contain pay rates, as the first remedy to the issue,
workers – our friends in the Meat which means pay will have to be rather than simply seeking a
Workers Union have perhaps been negotiated, rather than dictated payment in lieu of this;
the hardest hit. They've faced lengthy by bosses;
• Some groups of workers, such
lockouts and workers disciplined for
• Employers won’t be able to walk as cleaners, who predominantly
taking even the simplest action like work for contract agencies, will
away from collective bargaining,
wearing union t-shirts. regain the right to transfer to a
which means they will be obliged
to try to find a constructive new employer when their boss
The negative effects of the National
solution to disagreement; loses a contract, on the same
Party’s changes to employment law
terms and conditions they
weren’t an unforeseen accident – • Employers also will be forced already have;
union members from all over the to discuss a multi-employer
country said this would happen, and collective agreement if their • Lastly, employers will no longer
we were proven right. workers want one, rather than be able to deduct wages from
www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018 9
Feature
workers who take low-level to Parliament about his proposed committed to discussing this in
industrial action (such as changes that: Cabinet later in 2018, but they have
refusing to wear uniform, or not made a firm commitment to get
“They can lead to uncertainty and
refusing to work overtime). rid of them since the election.
anxiety for new employees. When
The Labour – NZ First coalition employers do dismiss people on trial Union members will have to be vocal
agreement also contained a periods, this may cause significant about this. The principle of equal
commitment to increasing the distress, exacerbated when workers pay for equal work is at the heart
minimum wage to $20 per hour by are not provided reasons and where of who we are, and one we cannot
2021, with a 75-cent increase coming they believe the dismissal is unfair. compromise on.
on April 1 this year. This is a good
The lack of a process for workers to
start, but will see the minimum
challenge the dismissal may worsen
WHAT DO WE WANT? FAIR
wage continue to lag well behind the
their experience. It may mean that PAY AGREEMENTS! WHEN
Living Wage (currently $20.20 per
some employees face difficulty in DO WE WANT THEM?
hour).
finding subsequent employment SOMETIME SOON, I GUESS
Lees-Galloway has made clear that if they are dismissed under a trial
position without knowing the reason” The centrepiece of Labour’s plans
this first round of employment
for employment law are Fair Pay
law changes will not be all – it is
Agreements. There’s no set time for
simply getting rid of some of the
worst changes made by the last
Government, and there are more
The principle the legislation for these to be made
public, but work on the policy is
proactive changes by the new
Government still to come.
of equal pay for ongoing, as are discussions with
unions and employer groups.
equal work is A Fair Pay Agreement will be a set
THOUGH THERE’S STILL of minimum standards in pay and
SOME UGLY… at the heart of conditions in an industry. The idea
behind them is that, at the moment,
Just because we have a Government
more inclined to listen to what
who we are, and there is little incentive for many
sectors, particularly when unions
workers want, it doesn’t mean we can
be complacent. Already, we’ve seen
one we cannot aren’t present, to offer anything more
than the minimum wage.
a weak response to one vital change
that particularly hurts young and
compromise on.” With unions only present in a small
migrant workers. number of private sector employers,
Given all these reasons, we have to it makes it easy for private sector
The 90-day fire at will law wonder what possible justification bosses in large industries like retail
was introduced under the last the Government has for keeping and hospitality to force wages down
Government, and remains popular these unfair trial periods for anyone. and hard for workers to genuinely
with National supporters despite PSA members, as well as our friends negotiate better pay for themselves.
research showing it doesn’t work in other unions, will be asking the
for what was proclaimed to be its Education and Workforce Committee Lees-Galloway told the NZ Herald that
main purpose: making it easier for to recommend that Parliament the changing nature of work means
young people, and other people changes this before passing the new the way we set wages and conditions
disadvantaged in the hunt for jobs, to law. needed to change, saying “we can
find meaningful work. pretend it’s not happening, or we can
Another bad change made by the start making adjustments now that
The new Government has decided to previous Government was the are good for workers, but also support
partially retain this policy, keeping introduction of youth rates – a lower changes that are good for business.”
90-day “trial periods” for workplaces minimum wage for young people,
with fewer than 20 employees. Lees- even if they’re doing the exact same Exactly how Fair Pay Agreements
Galloway admitted in his speech job. The new Government have will be negotiated, the role of unions
10 www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018Feature
and their members, and what scope
the agreements will have in terms
of what they can include, is still
up for debate. And while most PSA
members won’t be hugely impacted
by them – as we have strong rates
of unionisation in most areas we
organise – these agreements will
have positive impacts on our friends
and whānau, and in particular the
people we love who work in areas
without a strong union.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE
HEARD
This Government won’t do
everything right. The PSA is
politically non-partisan, meaning we
don’t support any one political party.
Instead, we advocate for policy that
benefits our members, and all of New
Zealand.
Accordingly, we need to be prepared
to criticise the Government when it
gets things wrong, as we always have
done. When they get things right,
we’ll be equally vocal in our support.
What is clear already, however, is
that the new Government is more
prepared to listen to us and to
respond to our concerns, than the
previous one was. This gives us an
opportunity, and one we would be
foolish not to take advantage of.
The things we care about as a union:
fair pay and conditions, quality
public and community services, In tough times, PSA members stand together in solidarity. These boxes contain thousands of
submissions against unfair changes to the Employment Relations Act back in 2013.
and a strong sense of community
solidarity and collective action, are
good not just for us, but for the whole
country. We owe it to each other, to
our whānau, and to the generations
to come to give it our best shot.
Get involved
• Read the proposed changes to employment law: www.goo.gl/6ZmGPL
Jacinda Ardern’s slogan for the
election campaign was Let’s Do This. • The Select Committee will be taking submissions until 30 March, and you
Now the campaign is done. What can send your thoughts online at: www.goo.gl/bbr8rG
happens next is up to us.
www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018 11Te Rūnanga
Rūnanga delegates from across the
PSA gather to plan and discuss issues
relating to Maori PSA members
Trick or Treaty
The Treaty of Waitangi means whatever you want it to mean,
as long as you’re against it.
COLUMNISTS CONDEMN IT, historical fact so obvious anything Minister Jacinda Ardern told her
courts misconstrue it, and activists less than 100 percent is a worry. audience she is committed to building
used to call it a fraud. For tourists In the run-up to Waitangi Day, The a country where the Treaty is part of a
visiting this country, this must come AM Show published a poll asking living history.
across as a little strange. Americans New Zealanders whether we should
venerate their founding documents. rename it to New Zealand Day. In UNIONS TAKING ACTION
The French do too. On International the NZ Herald Mike Hosking asked
“The rednecks are never going to
Human Rights Day thousands of “what’s the point” of commemorating
put the Treaty back in a box,” said
South Africans take to the streets to our founding day anyway.
Syd Keepa, the Council of Trade
commemorate their constitutional
From here it might seem as if things Union’s vice-president Māori, “and
anniversary. But for a good number
are as bleak as they ever were, but unions helped lead the way.” In the
of New Zealanders the Treaty seems
beneath the misunderstandings and 1970s and 80s trade union leaders
best left in the 19th century.
misconstructions important shifts like the late Syd Jackson were
We can call this the Don Brash are happening. In 2012 the Ministry helping lead the movement to secure
position, and it remains stubbornly of Education surveyed 4000 year nine Treaty justice. “Union members and
popular. In 2011 a UMR poll found students and found that two-thirds leaders were at every struggle. The
only 55 percent of New Zealanders agreed the Treaty is New Zealand’s reason Takaparawhā (Bastion Point)
agreed that the Treaty is New founding document. Speaking at the remained undeveloped for so long
Zealand’s founding document, a Treaty Grounds in February, Prime was because union members put a
12 www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018Te Rūnanga
green ban on the site, that means they and sector māngai for the District Kāwanatanga first appears in the
wouldn’t work on the site as long as Health Board sector Lesley Dixon. preamble to the Treaty and historian
Ngāti Whātua opposed it,” explained “But [we] still have a long way to go and language expert Professor
Keepa. and we’re still in the early stages of
Margaret Mutu translates it as
learning how to integrate Te Titiri o
Bastion Point is a promontory above “governorship over British subjects,”
Waitangi values of rangatiratanga,
Tāmaki Drive, one of the wealthiest whanaungatanga, kaitiakitanga, meaning kāwanatanga is what is
square miles in the country. In 1977, manaakitanga, kotahitanga, and termed a relational concept. Tino
hundreds of activists from the Ōrākei wairutanga into our operational rangatiratanga appears later in the
Māori Action Committee occupied kaupapa.” The PSA represents almost document and is usually translated as
Takaparawhā, urging the country to 6000 Māori members in the workplace unfettered chieftainship. So while the
join their calls to end development on while the Rūnanga represents Māori English text says that the rangatira
one of Ngāti Whātua’s last remaining members within the union itself.
parcels of land. The surrounding who sign surrender their sovereignty
land, alongside most of the Auckland to the Crown, the Māori text says the
isthmus, was taken from local iwi in
breach of the Treaty. “When the army
This is what rangatira retain what is the closest
power to sovereignty in the Māori
and the cops came in in 1978 to take
the activists off their own land, union the union world, tino rangatiratanga. In other
words, the English text asks rangatira
members across Auckland went on a
wildcat (illegal) strike,” said Keepa. movement to cede what they just affirmed in the
Māori text.
“This is what the union movement
owes Māori under the Treaty – owes Māori “It’s Te Tiriti that matters,” adds
Keepa, noting that the overwhelming
solidarity.”
The relationship between Māori and under the majority of rangatira signed the Māori
language version. This also matters in
Treaty –
unions reaches back to the turn of the the union context as well: “remember
twentieth century. In 1919 Bob Tūtaki,
unions aren’t the Crown, but they’re
Ngāti Kahungunu, a shearer and
union organiser, travelled the country
urging Māori to support the formation
solidarity.” still part of the Treaty.” Tangata
whenua on one side – people of the
of the New Zealand Workers’ Union. land – and tangata tiriti on the other –
“Let us stand up with one common “The Treaty’s profile has certainly people of the Treaty.
mind ... stick together, everybody, increased within the PSA,” said Dixon,
remember that old Māori philosophy, “we now have the Ngā Kaupapa paper The Crown undertook to recognise
“tatau tatau”, meaning altogether,” instigated by Te Rūnanga which is tino rangatiratanga in exchange for
he would tell his fellow workers. But committed to the above concepts.” its power to govern its own subjects,
despite the long relationship, and But, she added, "there is always room but those same subjects – or citizens
some famous acts of solidarity along for further discussion about what the as we say now – are also bound to
the way, some unions still struggled to Treaty means for the PSA"
recognise Māori as tangata whenua
include Māori in institutional life with
Under the Treaty, Article II of the with all the powers of rangatiratanga.
the Waterside Workers’ Union head
Māori language version – the
office refusing to print recruitment “There’s heaps of work to do,” Dixon
version preferred by both the
and advice in te reo Māori for its told me. “But it’s an exciting time to
Waitangi Tribunal and international
nearly all- Māori membership on the be part of the Treaty’s resurgence and
law – says Māori retain their “tino
North Island’s East Coast.
rangatiratanga” while the Crown part of the push to see it recognised
acquires “kāwanatanga.” These within the PSA and normalised as the
WALKING THE TALK competing terms are the source of country’s founding document.”
“We’re committed to ensuring the more than a century of angst of where
PSA walks the talk,” said PSA member power lies. By Morgan Godfery (Ngāti Awa)
www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018 13Mental health
The campaign for
mental health services
in New Zealand.
When he left Parliament in 2016, Green Party health spokesperson
Kevin Hague said his unfinished business as an MP was his campaign to
improve mental health services in New Zealand.
BY THEN, HAGUE had already increasing awareness that mental acutely unwell because there are no
spent a year calling for an inquiry health was in crisis to the extent that beds.”
into mental health services. This the workforce was impacted, as well
campaign was motivated by concern as service users.” This points to the other key themes in
at New Zealand’s suicide rates and the People’s Review, which included
the strain of sustained underfunding With this in mind, PSA members barriers to access and wait times, the
on the mental health sector. were encouraged to support the need for a wider range of treatment
People’s Mental Health Review by options, the lack of independent
Hague’s campaign was taken up by submitting stories. This helped oversight of the sector, entrenched
his replacement as Green health ensure the review included the problems including compulsion
spokesperson, Julie Anne Genter, experiences of people working in and the use of seclusion and wider
and by a number of others outside mental health, which in turn meant social and economic stresses that
of Parliament. Amongst them were that the strain on mental health contribute to poor mental health in
psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald and workers was one of the key themes New Zealand.
comedian Mike King, who teamed identified in the People’s Mental
up with ActionStation to initiate a Health Report. These themes overlap, with
People’s review of the mental health underfunding contributing to not
system. I was involved in that process Colwell says the stories in the report only staff strain and long waiting
both as the lead author of the People’s don’t surprise him. “Health workers times but also, for example, to the
Mental Health Report, and as a have mental health problems as well. use of seclusion. Colwell says he
person with my own experience of I know someone who had to leave the would like to see seclusion done
mental distress and trauma. DHB because of the impact of this away with altogether, but that would
work on their own mental health. If require a significant increase in
A CRISIS IN MENTAL your workforce isn’t looked after, how staffing, including more peer support
HEALTH SERVICES can you provide good mental health workers who are themselves well
services?” supported.
The impacts of underfunding in
mental health services were already Part of the problem, according
to Colwell, is that mental health
DO WE NEED A REVIEW?
well known to PSA members, as
Andy Colwell, DHB mental health workers have got used to working The People’s Review picked up Kevin
specialist and co-convenor of the PSA in a crisis situation. “We’re forced to Hague’s call for an independent and
Mental Health Committee recalls. discharge people who are not well comprehensive review of mental
“Eighteen months out from the enough to go home. On the other health, and for the re-establishment
election”, says Colwell, “there was an hand, we can’t admit people who are of the Mental Health Commission.
14 www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018Mental health
we get results,” she says, “because
we need more than tweaks around
the edges. We need clear policy
recommendations from this review
and we need them to be funded.”
Andy Colwell agrees, and wants to
see people who use mental health
services working together with
those who work in them, not only
Andy Colwell, DHB mental health Marianne Elliott, a researcher, writer, to highlight problems, but also to
specialist and co-convenor of the PSA human rights advocate and the lead author shape how services should look in
Mental Health Committe of the People’s Mental Health Report.
the future.
In terms of what that might look like,
The review also called for an urgent down the country. You had politicians Colwell hopes the review will result
funding increase for mental health asking questions in the house. You in a significant increase of funding in
services for acute and community had service users sharing their primary health and more resources
based mental health services stories. You had the media holding in secondary services. “Mental health
nationally. the government to account. You
care is very labour intensive,” he
had citizens showing up to debates
Some criticized the call for a review, explains, “It’s not about tools, it’s
and asking questions about mental
arguing that the problems facing the about people with experience.”
health.”
mental health sector were already
well known and understood. But as In the long term, he hopes, acute
services could be reduced because
we researched the report, it became
evident that although everyone was We need a community services had been
clear on the specific problems they
experienced in the sector, there mental health improved and economic and social
stressors reduced. But in the short
was neither widespread agreement
on what those problems were, nor
workforce term, more beds are needed, along
with an overhaul of current services,
consensus on how they could be
improved.
that is well- “but done in a way that takes care
of the workforce, and makes mental
AN EFFECTIVE CAMPAIGN
supported, well- health a sector people want to work
in.”
At this same time, the PSA was resourced and “We need a mental health workforce
running its powerful Yes We Care
campaign, which traveled around listened to.” that is well-supported, well-resourced
the country with 200 life-size cutouts and listened to,” says Colwell, “and
representing health workers missing THE WORK ISN’T OVER mental health workers need to
due to underfunding and with 606 recognise the importance of
Ultimately, New Zealanders
shoes, each representing a Kiwi lost working with people who access
supported this campaign with their
to suicide. the services and to ensure their
votes and, in January 2018, the new
government announced the details experiences and views are given
“This was an effective campaign,”
of an inquiry into mental health more than lip service.”
reflects Julie Anne Genter, now
the Associate Minister of Health, and addiction. But the work for
By Marianne Elliott
“because it had so many different campaigners isn’t over, says Julie
elements and different groups Anne Genter. “There’s still a key Be a part of our continued support of
playing on their strengths. You had question about how the campaign mental health workers, sign up at
the unions with members up and will work with the review to ensure psa.org.nz/yeswecare
www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018 15The workplace
by Asher Wilson-Goldman
IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE late January, walking off the job
under the health & safety law due to
HEAT…
significant issues arising from the
This summer has seen a lot of us heat in their kitchen. This collective
struggling with the unusually hot response shows the importance of
temperatures. Even for summer sticking together and addressing
things have been intense, with parts issues alongside our workmates, not
of the country used to the mid-20s just on our own.
finding themselves in the low-30s for
days at a time. Plenty of other workplaces have
addressed the heat in other ways,
While many people were enjoying
such as demanding that bosses
the weather while still on leave – at
purchase fans, install proper air
the beach, in the swimming pool or
conditioning, or approve extra paid
at least under the shade of a tree – a
breaks in a cooler area to ensure that
lot of us were back at work, in the
people aren’t putting their health at
office, on the ward or outside in the
risk just to do their jobs.
full heat of the sun.
office buildings, the aircon usually New Zealand’s hottest ever day
The ozone layer might be healing somehow makes different parts of was February 7, 1973. Rangiora,
but there’s still plenty of danger the same floor far too hot and far north of Christchurch, registered
when the weather is like it has been: too cold, while other jobs (like those
42.4 degrees, and other parts of
sunburn, dehydration, overheating in kitchens or roles that require
and more. It’s really important that Canterbury and Marlborough also
the wearing of significant amounts
we look after ourselves, and each rose above the 40-degree mark.
of protective clothing) are likely
other, to keep everyone safe. to be even hotter than the outside Staff walkouts due to the heat
temperature. happened at three freezing works
In countries that are used to regular
30+ degree temperatures, they have and a glass plant in the morning,
There’s a reason that the Health and
systems set up to cope (and people Safety at Work Act has provisions and by lunchtime many schools and
are more used to it). If you travel to allowing individual workers to offices had given up for the day. The
Queensland, the most common type cease unsafe work, and for elected tar seal melted on many roads, and
of home is specifically built to allow health and safety representatives railway lines buckled.
minimal sun and maximum air flow to direct their colleagues to cease
We’re now heading to autumn and
inside at all times – by contrast, the work, without having to go through
the hottest days are likely gone, but
air flow in New Zealand homes is a lengthy formal process like we do
remember: look after yourself, and
more likely to come from a lack of for other types of work stoppage like
your colleagues. If you think it’s too
insultation and poor maintenance. a strike.
hot at work, talk with each other, and
Our workplaces are also not set up Unite Union members at KFC in then with your boss. Your safety is
for heat – in many public service Thames used these provisions in always the most important thing.
16 www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018Behind the scenes
by Jem Yoshioka
WINNING EQUAL PAY We need to get in and back those of
us that haven’t got [equal pay] yet.
Disability support worker and PSA
I’d like to get more involved with
delegate Pania Love talks about what
things like lobbying. I’ve never ever
it’s been like to achieve equal pay, and
done that, but it’s something I want
how she will continue to support the
to learn to do.
movement.
We need to get in behind our mental
What do you love most about your
health and addiction support
job?
workers 100%. It was a sore point
Pania Love
The people I work with. Giving for us with [the care and support
them the quality of life. I work with settlement]. As much as I wanted to
people with multiple disabilities. After equal pay was implemented jump for joy, I felt I had to hold back
So non-verbal, in a wheelchair. We and we were getting what we because they weren’t with us.
do everything for them. We are their deserved, we struggled to find cover
because not everyone had to take Many mental health support
eyes, their hands. I have a Down
those hours anymore. Employers also workers came over to care and
Syndrome daughter, and my Mum
put more workload onto us. So there support because they weren’t
and my Nan worked in this field. So I
were positives and negatives. getting recognised for the mahi they
was kinda born into it, it’s hereditary.
were doing by the pay they were
Do you feel being a part of a union
What made you want to get getting. But what a waste of skills.
helps push for change?
involved with equal pay? You leave all these people who need
Most definitely. You need the people that support hanging.
My work colleagues and I had to to push forward. With equal pay
pick up extra shifts just to make that’s how we did it. It was the PSA, Mental health support workers now
ends meet. I got involved for all but also the whole union movement have to do two or three shifts to fill
of us. Especially for us as women stepping forward. the gaps of the people who have
in a women-dominated industry. left. So where does that leave them?
It’s good there’s now a standardised
The majority of us in my region are Where is their safety net? It’s really
pay scale for community support
Pacific and Māori women, too. important we back them up.
workers. Employers could put wages
Do you feel the equal pay win has up at any time if they wanted to, What has achieving equal pay
changed the industry as a whole for but they don’t want to. We need to meant for you personally?
the better? continuously put that pressure on
them to toe the line. Not having to struggle to put food
Before, our employers used to take on the table. Have a bit of luxury
anyone off the street, but now they’re What do you want to do next with money to do something together as
looking for qualifications. Those with the equal pay campaign? a family. It’s made a huge difference
more qualifications get more of a I’m aiming to push for all of us to me personally, but that’s not what
look in. members, especially in our industry. we’re about!
www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018 17On the job
By Asher Wilson-Goldman
FUNNY WEATHER affecting people in a way
that isn’t typical, there’s a
WE’RE HAVING
huge increase in calls from
Flying into Wellington can the media.”
be a bit bumpy at times, if
not downright frightening. This public education is
PSA delegate Ciaran Doolin important, because weather
remembers coming home is something that most
through 100km/h gusts, New Zealanders already
trying to reassure the think themselves experts
panicked person next to in. Ciaran sometimes
him, despite his own fear. cops flack when he goes
a few thousand right up to jets at to parties from people who say that
In the end, the plane landed safely, as 40,000 feet.” MetService has got something wrong,
Ciaran knew it would: in his day job, “but when people come into our office
he’s a meteorologist at MetService, Ciaran says that aviation has and see what we do, they leave with a
currently specialising in aviation probably the highest stakes on a day- whole new appreciation for how much
forecasting. It’s his job to provide to-day basis, so there’s a real need to effort goes in.”
forecasts for airports and pilots that get it right. It’s a job that requires an
enable them to make decisions about ability to process information and “We use UK, European and US
flight paths and fuel loads to ensure make decisions quickly, but also to computer modelling, our own
people get to where they’re going safe trust your own judgement. internally-produced high-resolution
and sound. models, an observational network
“The atmosphere is chaotic, it’s consisting of satellites, radar,
A normal day for Ciaran starts very difficult to be 100% accurate all of the weather stations and balloons, plus
early in the morning or very late time, mistakes can be made. If you
our knowledge of New Zealand’s
at night. MetService runs a shift follow the established procedures
climatology and the scientific
rotation, and meteorologists are split which have been developed over
principles behind it all,” explains
many years, then you’ve done all you
into different sections – like aviation, Ciaran. “From all of that, we come up
can.”
public (the weather we see on their with a synthesis to deliver a forecast.”
website and the news), and marine At MetService, meteorologists also
(for boaties and shipping). That’s a lot of work in a career Ciaran
carry out scientific research and often
never expected to have. After studying
take on the role of public educator,
Each section has its own quirks maths and physics at university, he
taking time out to answer questions
and differences, says Ciaran. “In initially planned to conduct research
that journalists use to inform the
aviation you have to think three in cosmology and astrophysics.
public.
dimensionally, whereas in marine After looking into job prospects for a
or public it’s just about what’s “There’s a significant uptick in cosmologist, however, Ciaran decided
happening on ground. We’re interest whenever there’s severe he preferred stability of more regular
forecasting for people flying at all weather, or hot temperatures like we employment, and found meteorology,
levels, from recreational aircraft at had in January,” says Ciaran. “If it’s which ignited a whole new passion.
18 www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018Connected
by Jem Yoshioka
REAL LIFE, OR JUST
FANTASY?
In what’s touted by some as the
biggest change to our technology
since the proliferation of the internet,
virtual reality (VR) is the new hot
investment option. But for those of us
without millions to spend, what does
a virtual reality future look like?
VR as we know it
Applied virtual reality Accessible virtual worlds
When VR presents itself in popular
While many of the applications VR has incredible accessibility
culture and science fiction, it often
for VR are currently experimental, potential too. A headset is
brings subversive undertones. If
testing the limits of the technology, something that can be suited to
you die in the game, you die in real there’s huge implications for many almost anyone, and controls can be
life. People strapped into intricate parts of life. Industrial design and set up to track movement of eyes or
devices, losing all sense of reality architecture stand to benefit hugely. hands. Once you get over looking
and control of their physical bodies. Designers will be able to walk like a huge dork, the experience is
around their creations and truly eerily immersive.
It’s an allegory for apathy, for losing
experience their work in a way you
perspective on the world and for
can’t when it’s projected onto a flat We need to make sure as we build
becoming obsessed with illusions.
screen. Interior designers will be this technology we need to prioritise
In our world VR is a lot less sinister. able to walk through their creations. the way VR will be made accessible
Much like how video games don’t to people with disabilities. If we
Art and tourism could change
hypnotise you into losing awareness don’t design with accessibility
dramatically – how amazing would
of reality and television didn’t ruin in mind, a device that has the
it be to be able to tour the Louvre
a generation, VR is unlikely to make potential to greatly improve lives
without visiting Paris, without
you forget that you need to eat, having to wait in line to see the could instead remain frustratingly
drink and sleep. Mona Lisa? Artists can now sculpt inaccessible for many.
3D shapes with their hands, or even VR won’t replace the tangible real
What VR can give you is a sense of
paint in three dimensions.
wonder and delight, through the world we all live in, and it won’t
immersive way you interact with the Could we one day be living and ever be able to grant the exact
projected world around you. Even working entirely remotely, meeting experiences we can find in person.
at its best, though, it’s not going to in virtual rooms to have discussions, But there’s something exciting,
replace the offline world any more participate in workshops and share delightful and a bit unknown
than movies, TV or smart phones presentations? It’s probably not as waiting for us in the world inside
did in previous years. far off as we think. the headset.
www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018 19Equal pay
The road to equal pay
Since the new Labour-led Government was elected, we've been making good
progress on the road to equal pay, despite the odd barrier being thrown up in front
of us. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our Women’s Network, Equal Pay advocates
and all 64,000 PSA members, we’re still moving forward.
21st Feb
14th Feb Great news for Kristine
The Government committed Bartlett – named New
to begin negotiations to bring Zealander of the Year for
mental health and addiction her courageous stance for
support workers into the equal pay. She paid tribute to
care and support agreement. unions like E tū, which she is
They were unfairly left out a member of, and the PSA,
despite doing very similar who worked together to
win significant pay rises for 22nd Feb
work, and we want them to
get the existing deal ASAP. 55,000 mostly female care The new Government has
and support workers. scrapped National’s terrible
proposed anti-equal pay law
upon gaining power, but it
was drawn at random from
a Member's Bill ballot and
will get another hearing in
Parliament.
More information on how to
lobby your local MP to vote
against this bad law will be
distributed soon.
20 www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018Equal pay
The current government has a
different view on how people should
treat unions, a different view about
the role of unions in society and that
will be very clear if they follow our
recommendations” Separately, another Joint
Working Group – on Mixed
– PSA National Secretary Work Principles (for jobs
Erin Polaczuk that aren’t traditionally
women dominated) – will
recommend the State
Services Commission adopt a
set of high-level principles to
stop women being paid less
The road ahead
across the wider state sector.
The draft bill should be
These will include wage
circulated over in the next
discrimination but also
5th March few months. PSA members
starting salaries, progression,
will feed into the select
The Joint Working Group flexible work and
committee process to support
on Pay Equity completed transparency.
equal pay, and advice will be
further talks on how the new
sent out on how
government should proceed
to do this.
with equal pay legislation.
All sides agreed to make Pay processes must become
it easier to take an equal more transparent, pay must
pay case, removing the be in collective agreements;
word “merit”; make it easier employers must be obliged to
to find roles to compare do the right thing; and there
with to assess how much needs to be fines for any
work should be paid; and breaches of the Equal Pay Act.
to amend the existing 1972
Equal Pay Act, rather than
create a whole new law.
www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018 21International
UK civil service on the cusp of Brexit
In one year, the United Kingdom is expected to begin to leave the European Union.
Yet, even with the transition extension that’s currently being discussed, it’s unclear
what a post-Brexit Britain will look like.
AS CIVIL SERVANTS work to immigration processes following the ground the lack of organisation
prepare and deliver on Brexit, Brexit found that “existing processes is staggering.”
some politicians have taken aim at are under strain, and under-
them, suggesting that some may be resourced”. If there’s a silver lining for civil
trying to “sabotage” Britain’s exit servants, it could be that to get
from the EU. Dave Penman, general The report questioned the ability
Brexit over the line is going to
secretary of senior public servant of the Home Office to recruit
enough staff to address the current require a trusted and supported
and professional union FDA, said in
situation, “let alone provide the civil service.
an opinion piece late last year:
resources required to cope with the
Political journalist Sue Cameron
“As the realities of trying to deliver increased workload and challenge
Brexit start to bite – laying bare that Brexit will bring”. recently interviewed Lord Butler,
the incoherent and contradictory cabinet secretary from 1988 to 1998,
positions of both government and The Public and Commercial for the BBC series Inside Number 10.
opposition – the scapegoating of the Services Union (PCS), the union of She wrote in Civil Service World in
civil service has begun in earnest. the majority of Home Office staff,
February that Lord Butler believes
Perhaps it was always going to be gave evidence to the committee
that Brexit “will be a renaissance
thus, but it is no less disappointing in November. Following the
release of the report, PCS general for the civil service, reversing the
for its predictability.”
secretary Mark Serwotka said that it trend of the last two decades when
In reality, the civil service is “highlights the chaos and confusion ministers increasingly relied on
already under intense pressure. at the heart of government on political advisers at the expense of
A recent report by the Home Brexit. Whilst six different cabinet officials”.
Affairs Committee on the ability ministers make speeches showing
of the Home Office to deliver new six different versions of Brexit, on By Shelly Biswell
International survey of union rights
THE ITUC IS the global body for its Survey of Violations of Trade Tools like the Survey are important,
trade unions – made up of millions Union Rights, a database of the legal as they help to inform the ITUC’s
of workers from across the world, situation for workers all over the priorities for international lobbying
including nearly every industry and world. and campaigns.
sector that you can imagine.
New Zealand’s entry was last Just like the PSA supports our sister
Our 64,000 members are included updated in 2014, so the CTU has unions across New Zealand, ITUC
in that, along with all of the other helped to coordinate a response with members can support each other
unions affiliated to the NZ Council all of the changes to employment from across the globe.
of Trade Unions. law, and major breaches of workers’
rights, that have happened over the Find out more:
Currently, the ITUC is updating past four years. survey.ituc-csi.org/?lang=en
22 www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018International
When the rules are broken:
railway workers denied the right to strike
In June 2017, more than 7,000 union members working for the New South Wales
railways started a new round of collective bargaining.
WHILE HISTORICALLY
COLLECTIVE bargaining in the
public sector has often been
lengthy and problematic, the 2017
bargaining round was not expected
to be particularly complex.
Unfortunately, that was not to
prove true, and, after more than
six months of negotiations,
union members overwhelmingly
supported taking industrial action.
Australian industrial relations
laws are extremely anti-worker,
containing fundamental breaches of
international labour standards and
conventions. This includes a range
of onerous legal requirements put
upon unions.
Industrial action must be approved
by the Fair Work Commission,
and is subject to the burdensome Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW members show solidarity on their union's facebook page during
industrial action.
provisions of the Fair Work Act
2009. Even once approved, it can be Work Act 2009 allows employers which may be suspended again
revoked by the Commission at any to suspend or stop any action that after the initial six-week period. It is
time. could cause significant economic clear that the Australian industrial
After jumping through the many harm, or endanger the health and relations laws are rigged in such
required hoops, NSW rail workers safety of members of the public. a way that bosses have all of the
began industrial action in late power, and are even able to prevent
The Commission ruled that a
January 2018. union members taking working
24-hour strike would do both of
together effectively to improve their
In addition to the wearing of union these, and suspended all industrial
wages and working conditions.
badges and t-shirts, an indefinite action for six weeks. Despite doing
overtime ban was implemented everything asked by unfair labour A drastic shift, in both legislation
and notice provided for a 24-hour laws, public sector railway workers and attitudes towards economic and
stoppage on 29 January 2018. had their right to strike taken away. power imbalances, is desperately
needed.
The employers applied to the Union members are now forced
Commission to stop the industrial to continue bargaining without By Jessica Epps (RTBU Industrial
action, on the grounds that the Fair the leverage of industrial action, Officer)
www.psa.org.nz Working Life March 2018 23You can also read
