Under the headline “Into the Lions’ Den” it previewed the first opportunity for Public Services Minister Nicola Willis to address PSA delegates who gathered in the Capital amid restructurings, job reductions, and health and public service cuts she oversaw in her first year to fund the Government’s tax cuts programme.
In a separate political leaders panel Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni and Greens Co-Leader Chlöe Swarbrick spoke about the work public and community service workers did to get the country through the COVID-19 pandemic and argued to change the prevailing narrative to focus on investing for our shared future.
Congress was also addressed by Te Kaihautū Māori Janice Panoho, NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff, and former Productivity Commissioner Ganesh Nana. Public Service International President Daniel Bertossa sent fraternal greetings from more than 20 million union members as we face down the Government’s agenda to cut essential services and slash jobs.
Most of the afternoon of Day 2 was spent on union governance, with the announcement that Māori Vice President and Teina o Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina Virgil Iraia had been elected as the new PSA President.
Outgoing President Benedict Ferguson gave his final address to Congress summarising the growth of the union over his four years in the role.
On Day 1 delegates voted on motions, which included reinforcing our commitments to closing Pacific pay gaps, and continuing to campaign for equal pay for care and support workers. Congress adopted a new name for our health sector of Te Whatu Ora: Health Pōari Hauora ā Rohe, and made changes to representation in the governance structure including confirming the important advisory roles of the PSA Kuia and Kaumatua on the PSA Executive Board. It also agreed to add the manaia of Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina and the ingoa Māori of the PSA – Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi – to PSA branding.