Justice staff work to rule

Court proceedings will be disrupted as Ministry of Justice staff take industrial action. Public Service Association spokesman Willie Cochran said union members had voted to work to rule as part of bargaining to achieve a settlement that recognises cost of living pressures. The industrial action began from 4pm yesterday, running until December 19, unless the PSA received an offer that justified lifting the action, Cochran said. Under work to rule, union members may choose to follow standardised start and finish times and morning and afternoon break and lunch times. The industrial action will involve all PSA members at the Ministry of Justice, contact centres, processing centres, technology staff, national office and tribunal hearing centres across the country, Cochran said. About 1500 Ministry of Justice employees who are members of the PSA previously walked off the job in 2018 over pay negotiations. Ministry of Justice chief operating officer Carl Crafar said the industrial action would affect all courts and tribunals.