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Strike from home, or strike for real?
The Taxpayers’ Union says next week’s planned strike by nearly 10,000 public servants will be the real test of whether Fleur Fitzsimons can actually put bums on seats.
Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:
“Last time MBIE had a strike — dubbed as as ‘huge’ by the Public Service Association, we turned up to it. The office, and the picket line, was empty — apparently the revolution was being run from home."
"So this time, with Ms Fitzsimons saying 10,000 people will supposedly go on strike, the question is: will anyone actually show up? Logging off to make a cuppa isn’t exactly a revolution.”
“As New Zealand's largest union, the Taxpayers' Union can bring a crowd. But Fleur might not love what they have to say.”
"According to Public Service Commssion data, Public servants are now paid $17,600 more a year than people in the private sector, and every single government department has a higher average salary than private-sector New Zealanders."
"It's not the PSA that needs to go on strike, it's taxpayers — for the Government's failure to get the costs under control."
State Services Commission staff the highest paid
The average salary for staff at the State Services Commission is higher than at any other government department, according to figures released by the Taxpayers’ Union. This morning’s Dominion Post reported the Commission staff earn an average of more than $113,000 a year - $45,000 more than the public sector average.
Frontline orientated groups such as the NZ Customs Service ($60,209) and the Department of Corrections ($60,630) have significantly lower salaries when compared to the management-heavy Ministry of Women’s Affairs ($104,586) and Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs ($90, 887).
Instead of rewarding those on the front line, the Government appears to be making those in Wellington most comfortable. How can, for example, the Ministry of Women's Affairs and the SSC justify higher average salaries than both Foreign Affairs and the Serious Fraud Office?
In light of the recent blunders by the State Services Commission, Paula Bennett should be asking some serious questions as to whether taxpayers are receiving value for money from those who are supposed to be promoting an efficient public service.
Over the flip is the list of government departments and average salaries (access by clicking 'read more').
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