Industrial action continues

Court staff have cranked up their industrial action, with a ban on video-link court appearances. The national ban applies to Public Service Association members who have so far been working to rule, and sometimes striking, in support of a pay claim. They will also ban all pre-arranged sentencings, although people who plead guilty may still be sentenced on the spot. The action means some remand prisoners may spend longer in custody. The industrial action is now in its seventh week. Several strikes have been held including a half-day strike on Wednesday, which closed court buildings all over the country. In Christchurch, staff took to the streets with placards supporting their claim.