The Ministry for Social Development is going ahead with security guard reductions at a number of centres.
The Public Service Association said MSD is proceeding with the changes, which will see guards reduced from three to two at 20 sites.
Two offices - in Flaxmere and Kamo - have been removed from the reduction list.
"It beggar’s belief that MSD can so wilfully ignore the genuine concerns of workers who said loud and clear the move threatens their health and safety," Public Service Association national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said.
The cuts come 12 years after the fatal Work and Income shootings in Ashburton.
"The tragedy at Ashburton is never far from workers' minds. We warned in August it was a case of not if, but when another violent incident happens. Nothing MSD has done since changes that," Fitzsimons said.
Twenty roles were disestablished earlier this year.
1News has approached MSD for comment.
Deputy chief executive Melissa Gill previously told 1News the proposal followed a site-by-site risk assessment.
"We've invested that $80 million in making our sites safe and secure. Now is the right time to consider the number of security guards as a result of a site-by-site risk assessment – and that is what is driving this proposal," she said.
Gill said minor incidents had increased over time while more serious incidents had reduced, which she said showed "our system is working as intended".
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