The Public Service Association more than most unions has attempted an appearance of political neutrality, not least because the concept lies at the heart of its members’ work. But perhaps it should give up the pretence.
The press release with its response to the announcement of $2.4b of cuts was headed: “Public Services will be decimated by reckless plan to fire nearly 9000 workers”.
“This is an act of wilful destruction of the public service and all New Zealanders will pay a price for this reckless plan,” it said.
Its response to a similar move by the then-Labour Government on August 28, 2023, to find $4b in savings was contained in a press release headed: “Public service workers must help identify savings in Government new cost cutting drive”.
It was issued by the same person, national secretary Duane Leo, at the same union, for even deeper cuts, but by a Labour Government.
The press release cooed some more: “While it’s never a good time to cut spending on public services, we understand as revenue falls during challenging economic times, savings need to be found”.
There is no doubt that the PSA does some great work on behalf of its members and there is no doubt that this Government is more hostile to unions than a Labour Government would be. But perhaps the PSA should just drop the pretence and affiliate to the Labour Party.
The comparison is stark. They call smaller savings sought by National as reckless wilful destruction but labeled larger proposed cost by Labour as “savings need to be found”
I contrast them to a far more principled union – the Taxpayers’ Union. While the TU is obviously fiscally conservative, putting them on the centre-right, they have often been harshly critical of the National-led Government over the last few years. Hell, sometimes I wince at their press release ripping into the Government.
But that is the difference – one union puts principle ahead of party. The PSA does not.
David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders
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