Lesley, PSA Māori Vice President and Tuakana of Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina Komiti, spoke to the Congress as part of Decolonising Labour Regimes.
In her address Lesley said recent research shows that 93% of Māori experience racism of some form every day with 96% saying racism is a collective problem for their whānau a lot of the time, and cite racism as having its roots deep into the unequal distribution of power. This functions to position Māori as lesser than Pākehā, and results in the continued marginalisation of our Indigenous people.
The PSA's commitments
“As a union dedicated to promoting workers' rights in New Zealand’s public and community services, the PSA is uniquely positioned to challenge and dismantle the ongoing impacts of colonialism and racism and take a leading role in
championing justice and equality for Māori.
“The PSA supports and ensures the Crown’s obligations for its Māori Tuakana Lesley Dixon addresses global congress on fighting racism members in public and community services are met. It is my view, and my challenge to you all, that your trade union is also uniquely positioned to challenge and dismantle the ongoing impacts of colonisation and racism in your respective countries.
“As unionists, we believe that by speaking up collectively, we can make the change that benefits us all.”
Lesley went on to say that discrimination is multifaceted, and not limited to overt racism – it can take many forms in workplace settings, such as a lack of diversity in hiring processes and job promotions, unjust working conditions and wage inequity.
Mana Wāhine
She also touched on the Mana Wāhine claim, or Wai 2864, lodged with the Waitangi Tribunal by Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina. The claim raises Treaty breaches that have relegated generations of wāhine Māori to low paid jobs with vulnerable work conditions, and calls on the Crown to address inequities in employment suffered by wāhine Māori.
“This claim is just one example of how the PSA is leading the way on challenging and dismantling the ongoing impacts of colonisation.
“We are not waiting for the outcome of this claim – we are getting on with the business of making changes in the workplace, and through organising around equal pay for Māori, Pasefika and other ethnic minorities. We have been, and will be, vocal in our challenges against racism.”
Lesley attended the PSI Conference in Geneva with PSA President Benedict Ferguson and National Secretary Kerry Davies.