Thousands of MBIE workers stop work over pay offers ‘well below’ inflation

By RNZ

About 2700 workers at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment are downing tools on Wednesday morning.

The Public Service Association (PSA) said negotiations were underway for more than 10,000 public servants, including staff at MBIE, the Department of Internal Affairs, Corrections, and the Ministry of Social Development.

National secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said all were currently facing pay offers well below inflation.

“The current offer includes changes to pay that mean it will take staff longer to reach higher pay bands, at the same time as the cost of living keeps rising. Public servants are being asked to accept going backwards in a cost-of-living crisis.”

The union said the largest group of MBIE staff involved in the bargaining were immigration officers, most of whom earned around $70,000 a year.

“MBIE workers help run New Zealand’s economy, from employment and immigration services to consumer protection and business support. They deserve to be treated with respect and not presented with a deal that takes them backwards and told to accept it,” Fitzsimons said.

RNZ has approached MBIE for comment.