Public Service

The Government’s announcement that it will force all government agencies to consider PPPs for projects over $25 million provides little evidence of the benefits it claims nor the risks it is entering into, said the CTU today. Neither does it state the rules for making these decisions.

The resignation of the Chief Executive of Capital and Coast District Health Board, Ken Whelan, unfortunately confirms the CTU’s analysis of the funding shortfall in the May Health budget. That analysis showed that the budget required the system to provide new services but on the same budget as last year in real terms.

The Government’s introduction of experience rating for employers’ ACC levies is preparing the work account for privatisation, said the Council of Trade Unions today.

The Council of Trade Unions is supporting Clare Curran’s Kiwi Jobs Bill, but CTU Secretary Peter Conway said that the Bill is a relatively weak measure.

“The CTU supports the intentions of the Bill, but why wait for a Commission of Inquiry? Let’s do it now,” said Conway.

The CTU has welcomed the announcement today of ongoing investment in rail. It is however only a fraction of what is needed.

Peter Conway, CTU Secretary, said: “The signal of government commitment to improve and retain the network is positive.”

An analysis of health expenditure released today estimates the Health vote in the Budget will need to be increased by at least $555 million just to keep pace with population growth, ageing, new treatments, new technology, and increases in general costs, pharmaceuticals, and salaries.

Low paid workers in the aged care sector are still suffering because employers are refusing to pass on public money intended for their employees’ wage increases, said CTU President Helen Kelly today.

There is precious little comfort for workers, for the poor and for the environment in John Key’s speech yesterday, said acting NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff today. “The devil is in the detail, and we are worried at what will emerge when the Government finally confirms those details,” he said.

The Government has finally released details of its pay and employment equity investigations which confirm that women in the public sector are significantly underpaid and discriminated against, revealed the CTU today.

The Government cannot ignore the thousands of protestors who are marching across New Zealand to demand an end to the wage freeze on low paid public and community sector workers, said CTU President Helen Kelly today.