Conditions of service in the State Sector Bill

Press, 24 March 1988, Page 16

Conditions of service in the State Sector Bill

The effect of the State Sector Bill oh conditions of service for employees in the public sector has been questioned by a correspondent. In a letter to the Editor, Valerie M. Broadbent writes: “Government Ministers have stated that the' public sector unions are misleading their members by indicating that the State Sector Bill will detrimentally affect merhbers' conditions of employment The Ministers have not given ; specific examples. I would like to pose some questions to the I Minister of State Services to help 'clarify the position. j ■■ ■ ,I'i; ' [j - • ' I “(1) The present conditions of service will apparently ’continue for a specific time. Subsequently, if the' two parties cannot reach agreement, will the conditions that applied before this time continue? If not, and [the employees will not give (up their Tight to strikej ’ then what will happen to their conditions? ■ i: | "(2)! Consider a librarian of a Government department in Wellington applying in two years for a job (involving! the same tasks and responsibilities) in another Government | department in Dunedin? Can it be guaranteed that the' pay and conditions of the two jobs will be the same? They are at present.) The answers to these questions i will demon-

strate who is misleading whom.” The Minister of State Services,. Mr Rodger, replies: ’ "(1) I have repeatedly stated — and the billHpnakes it very clear — that existing conditions of work will continue to apply. What is more,)) the range: of existing conditions being protected extends'well beyond the terms of existing! (determinations under the State) Services Conditions of Employment Act, 1977. It extends to all existing terms ;and conditions of employment set out in regulations, (manuals, circulars, etc. 11 j !'■■ ! " “The only qualification is that

some things — such as | the replacement of the existing Public Service appeal system are changed directly by the bill: itself. Thb existing conditions will) be codified and. put into awards; dr agreements. . ’ : . I “If a union feels! the initial • award or agreement does not reflect existing conditions cf em-j ployment properly,, it will have access to arbitration on that matter. Future changes to :ondi[ tions will be by negotiated agreer ment or agreed arbitration only) except that where (unions give prior no-strike agreements,; they will have the right of access to final offer arbitatiori. , Ij J j “(2) The pay and conditions for staff doing the same j ibs in two different locations may or may not be the same. Tiat is also true for staff doing the same (work in the same centre. ’):) I . “Differences ( could exist:! if provision has been made for this in the negotiated irid istrial award or agreement for i those staff; 4- That can only happen by : agreement, and it (can happen that (way now; if) there’ are differences in’skill; or perform- ! ance •— to some extent th it! cap also happen now; if management has decided to improve on trie basic I negotiated conditions pf i employment in a particular case .— that cannot happen now but {it can happen in’the jprivate sec,or" b ' 'ii ■! 'I ’ hl!