Weekend rates spur fisheries strike plan

Fisheries officers around the country have issued the Ministry for Primary Industries a strike notice over its refusal to pay them more for weekend work.

About 70 fisheries officers who are members of the National Union of Public Employees (Nupe) are involved in the action.

Nupe secretary Janice Gemmell said MPI had failed to acknowledge officers’ ‘‘life beyond work’’.

In recent bargaining, the ministry had confirmed its position that every day was the same and there would be no extra payment for weekend work, she said.

She said it had been made clear that up to 20 per cent of their work would be done at weekends.

Gemmell said the ministry did not acknowledge that those who were working weekends missed out on things such as kids’ sport, weddings and other family events.

‘‘This is a really big issue for them,’’ she said.

‘‘The base rate is not high enough for the complexity of the role. But the real issue is that their Saturdays and Sundays are significant.

‘‘They know that’s when recreational fishers are out and they are needed out there but they want compensation for that.’’

She said an offer of time-and-a-half would probably be seen as sufficient.

From September 1, which marks the start of the scallop season, those striking will only do office work.

‘‘MPI confirmed its position that every day is the same and that there would be no payment for weekend work going forward,’’ Gemmell said.

‘‘They are a stable workforce – there’s not high turnover and they are committed to what they do. It’s unusual for them to take action like this.’’

She said it was hoped that the situation would be resolved before the strike was necessary.