Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com
Public Service Minister Paul Goldsmith has criticised next week’s planned strike by public servants, describing it as part of a “broader political campaign” to change the government.
About 10,000 members of the Public Service Association (PSA) are expected to walk off the job on Wednesday, 9 September, following months of stalled pay negotiations. The strike will affect major agencies including the Ministry of Social Development, Internal Affairs, Business, Innovation and Employment, Ethnic Communities, and the National Emergency Management Agency.
Speaking at Parliament on Tuesday, Goldsmith said the action appeared politically charged.
“They’ve got little pamphlets out there saying ‘change the government’,” he told reporters. “The people of New Zealand will be inconvenienced out of what could be seen as a broader political campaign.”
Goldsmith said public servants had received “very significant” pay rises under the previous Labour government and continued to be offered modest increases.
“They’ve got a right to strike, but I think it’s poor form,” he said.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon echoed the sentiment, saying he would prefer public servants to be “actually working” rather than striking.
“They should be at work or around the table negotiating,” Luxon said. “But that’s up to the agencies that deal with them.”
The PSA rejected claims of political motivation, saying ministers should focus on resolving the dispute rather than attacking the union.
“Workers have a fundamental right to strike, and the government should respect that,” national secretary Duane Leo said.
PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons told RNZ that employers needed to return to the table with an improved offer.
“Union members have endorsed the strike because the offers in bargaining are not there. We need to see pay increases consistent with the cost of living.”
The dispute comes amid wider public‑sector reform plans. The government has signalled major restructuring and further job cuts, with consolidation of ministries likely to be considered in the next term.
