Court staff continue short-notice strikes

Court staff across the country walked off the job at 12.30pm yesterday as part of a nationwide industrial action over pay and conditions.

A spokesperson for the Public Service Association (PSA) union said the walkout would last until 5pm and came after members were balloted on further industrial action.

The strike follows a failed attempt by the Justice Ministry to thwart short-notice strikes from the union at the Employment Court.

A ruling by the Employment Court on Monday rejected an application from the ministry for an interim injunction against the strike action.

The Employment Court bid came after several lightning strikes, with Rotorua District, High and Family Court staff walking off the job for an hour last Thursday. Similar action was taken at the Whanganui District Court.

The PSA declined to comment on the Employment Court ruling, with the spokesperson telling

Stuff the court’s ruling was verbal and comment would come after the written judgment.

Justice Ministry deputy secretary Suzanne Stew said the ministry was considering the Employment Court’s ruling.

‘‘The ministry, however, remains concerned about the ongoing health and safety risks of the PSA’s short-notice strikes.

‘‘We still consider taking strike action with only 30 minutes’ notice at crowded and busy courts to be unsafe and irresponsible,’’ Stew said.

‘‘The ministry remains open and committed to reaching a negotiated settlement and we’re ready to meet with the PSA at any time.’’

The union has been holding industrial action over its demands for a 2 per cent acrossthe-board pay rise and a new pay scale. Speaking after last week’s action, PSA national organiser Brendon Lane said the organisation wanted to see an offer that ‘‘properly values our members’’.