Compulsory redundancy for jobless State staff

Press, 25 February 1987, Page 1

Compulsory redundancy for jobless State staff

PA Wellington Public servants affected by State sector restructuring will face compulsory redundancy if they do not have jobs by September 30.

While no figures have been made public, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Palmer, emphasised yesterday that the Government did not intend to encourage such a move.

“We believe it should be possible to avoid that,” he said at a press conference.

“But it is not an option which can be ruled out and therefore it is important for people to know.” Public Service Association officials were told of the decision to introduce compulsory redundancies in the Public Service just 3 l / 2 hours before it was made public. The P.S.A. general secretary, Mr Colin Clark, told NZPA later he was outraged that such a decision should be made without consultation. He accused the Govern-

ment of a “panic reaction” and said the move was totally unnecessary. “We are stunned by the enormity of it,” he said. “It has dropped a bombshell on us.” News of the move was contained in a package of measures on how some of the 60,000 affected employees would be treated with the reforms on April 1. * Other measures include: • An immediate freeze on advertising jobs in the Public Service to help those who have lost their jobs find alternative appointments. • An enhanced early retirement option for those who are replaced by a surplus staff member. • A decision to keep surplus wage workers in the Forest Service employed until at least March 31, 1988.

• All Electricity Division staff being able to transfer to the new Electricity Corporation.

• Financial assistance to buy another home for coalminers who take State Coal’s voluntary redundancy package. • The Coal Corporation’s guaranteeing all existing tenants 12 months occupancy from April 1 while honouring existing terms and conditions. It will not increase rents until after July 1. • The Forestry Corporation’s providing security of tenancy to present occupants for 13 months from March 1, 1987, with existing terms and conditions of the tenancy. • A $5 million budget to set up a network of coordinators to help people with the adjustment process.