The proposal seeks to give unions and employers more time to focus on other issues
The government has announced that it is preparing to engage with the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (CTU) regarding its pay adjustment proposal for public sector workers.
Public Service Minister Chris Hipkins said that he welcomes the initiative from the CTU, adding that the government is making plans to explore the proposal with the union.
"I welcome the CTU's initiative to establish a constructive and strategic approach to settling pay rates in the public sector in the context of significant fiscal pressures for the government and cost of living challenges for workers," said Hipkins in a statement.
"The government is open to engaging further with the CTU and its affiliates," he added.
According to the minister, taking a more "strategic approach" to public sector bargaining could "reduce complexity and make the process more efficient and sustainable."
"The Public Service Commission is preparing to engage with the CTU to get a process underway – subject to a further communication from the CTU – to work through any major challenges," he said.
Meanwhile, the CTU welcomed the openness of the government regarding its proposal, which is expected to cover employees in the public sector including nurses, doctors, teachers, public servants, and health workers.
According to CTU president Richard Wagstaff, the proposal would enable participating unions to negotiate together a consistent sector-wide pay rise, so they can focus more on other issues that matter.
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"Public Sector Pay Adjustment would enable individual unions and employers to concentrate on issues other than pay in their own negotiations," said CTU president Richard Wagstaff.
"There are many wider issues that union members are concerned with beyond pay, such as workloads, sustainable staffing, health and safety and wellbeing. Having pay settled will provide more time and attention on other pressing issues."
However, Wagstaff noted that unions affiliated in the CTU are still exploring on the possibility of negotiating a consistent sector-wide pay rise.
"Right now, we are simply exploring the opportunity with affiliated unions, but we are a long way from an agreement," he said. "Any potential agreement would be considered by members on a Collective Agreement by Collective Agreement basis and each union will go through their own process to be a part of this."
Once supported by affiliated unions, the CTU will establish a negotiating team and enter talks as soon as possible, said the CTU in a statement.