Public Service Workers At The Heart Providing Services NZers Demand

"Public service workers are at the heart of providing the high quality services that the public of New Zealand demand," CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

"Public services play a critical role in the lives of New Zealanders. The public provision of high quality health, education, housing and other services has a strong influence on people's living standards and sense of wellbeing."

"Decent pay and conditions, and the systematic involvement of public sector workers at all levels, will help in attracting and retaining quality staff, which in turn means a better public service for us all.

"The retention of workers is also a critical factor in establishing higher productivity and a more satisfied workforce."

"It has taken some years to rebuild the public service after the cuts of the 1990s, and there is more work to be done. The CTU has supported the partnership approach driven by the PSA as a mechanism for building productive relationships and participation in the workforce, to underpin better public services."

Ross Wilson is speaking today at the launch of the third PSA-Government Partnership for Quality Agreement.