The Ministry of Education has been taken to the Employment Relations Authority over its proposed job cuts, the union representing public servants says.
Over 700 jobs at the ministry are proposed to be disestablished under the coalition Government's directives to find millions in savings.
The Public Service Association (PSA) filed legal proceedings in the authority earlier today and has requested the matter be dealt with urgently.
The union argued the ministry hasn't fully complied with the requirements of its collective agreement with staff, according to PSA national secretary Duane Leo.
"This is not an action we have taken lightly and comes after we attended mediation on Thursday," he said in a media release.
Ministry of Education corporate leader Zoe Griffiths said: “As this matter is now before the Employment Relations Authority we will not be commenting further.
"We will continue to engage in good faith with PSA.”
Leo said today: "We have asked the authority to urgently deal with this matter as the livelihoods of hundreds of dedicated public servants are being disrupted by this rushed re-structure forced on the ministry by the Government’s spending cuts."
He added: "There are relevant clear principles in the collective agreement including a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the principles of Kotahitanga, Rangatiratanga, Whanaungatanga, Kaitiakitanga, Manaakitanga, Whakahiato Umanga and Whakamana.
"The collective agreement requires the ministry and the PSA to try and agree the outcomes of cost-cutting exercises and then present that view to the management of the ministry. This has not been complied with."
Leo continued: "We are also seeking compliance with the provisions in the collective agreement that require the ministry to make every attempt to redeploy affected employees, on a case-by-case basis, including committing to retraining where possible.
"This provides for a humane and dignified approach that considers the individual circumstances of each worker."
Thousands of public servants have seen their jobs face the axe over the past several months as the Government drives over a billion dollars in cost savings.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the cuts were needed to end wasteful spending and to restore financial discipline, with a focus on cutting "back-office expenditure".
Last week, the Employment Court dismissed an appeal by TVNZ over a case taken to the Employment Relations Authority by E tū over recent job losses at the broadcaster.
The case centred on concerns about consultation carried out by the employer.
SHARE ME