Support justice for Ministry workers

5 March, 2010

Six months after they began industrial action PSA members at the Ministry of Justice are still fighting for a decent pay rise.

The Ministry workers, who include court staff, are among the lowest paid public servants in New Zealand, a fact the Ministry is refusing to address because it insists on using a broken pay setting system.

The action is closing courts, forcing trials and hearings to be adjourned, backing up cases and disrupting other Ministry of Justice work around the country.

In December the Ministry unilaterally announced the negotiations were over. This is despite the fact that no pay settlement had been reached. And despite the bargaining process agreement between the Ministry and the PSA stating that both parties have to agree before negotiations are formally ended.

The union took the Ministry to the Employment Court and won a ruling requiring the Ministry to re-engage in negotiations.

However the Ministry is still refusing to engage in meaningful negotiations. This dispute has the potential to adversely affect pay negotiations right across New Zealand's public sector.

You can show your support for Ministry of Justice staff by sending a message to the Ministry at LabourStart's campaign page here.