Parties to meet over paycut plan

THE Public Service Association and the Invercargill City Council will meet today over a wagecut proposal that has sparked an outcry from some employees.

Public Service Association (PSA) organiser Jon Henning said the proposed cut in wages was causing ‘‘serious distress’’ among staff.

Invercargill City Council (ICC) staff were advised of pay changes via a newsletter penned by chief executive Clare Hadley last month.

The newsletter outlined ICC staff working fulltime would receive 100% of their pay and those working parttime would get 75%, while those unable to work would receive only 50% of their wages.

Employees were advised they could make up their wage shortfall by using annual leave.

Mr Henning said he would have a meeting with Mrs Hadley today to discuss the matter.

‘‘We are expecting they cut the action for the moment because we believe it is unlawful.’’

He said the union received dozen of emails from staff and one of the characteristics of the council’s criteria was not being applied properly and fairly.

‘‘It seems to me when I look to those responses there’s a certain amount of chaos going on in the council and managers really don’t know what to do.’’

Mrs Hadley said all staff were paid 100% of their salary for the whole period of the Level 4 lockdown irrespective of their ability to work.

‘‘As part of our process for identifying options for dealing with Level 3, consultation was undertaken with the leaders’ forum. Everyone recognised the difficulty in balancing fairness to staff with fairness to the community.’’

She said as a result of the proposal, managers were in the process of contacting, consulting and working with all staff who are potentially affected.

Mrs Hadley guaranteed no changes would be made until an agreement had been reached.

‘‘No decisions on any change from that position have yet been made, other than that any changes agreed will be effective from April 28 onwards.

‘‘We continue to be committed to working in good faith with our people.’’