CORRECTIONS INSTRUCTORS GIVE NOTICE OF STRIKE ACTION

Instructors working in New Zealand Prisons who train Inmates to achieve NZQA Qualifications as part of their rehabilitation back into society, have issued their employer with 14 days notice of Industrial Action, as required by the Essential Industries Schedule. In the first instance the strike notice identifies a complete ban on all additional hours i.e. overtime. Other site specific actions will follow in due course.

The 14 days notice was issued after the instructors unanimously rejected a final offer from their employer. The final offer amounted to a nil wage increase and in some cases compulsory 10 hour days / 5 day week rosters. The employer also expected some employees to work on a debit / credit system for time worked or not worked.

CANZ National President, Beven Hanlon said the Instructors response to the employers final offer was one of disgust. After 4 years of dedicated hard work by all of those covered by the Inmates Education Collective Agreement, and committed to the ideal of Inmate Rehabilitation and Training, to be told there is no money for any increases of any kind is totally unacceptable. At a time when New Zealand is facing unprecedented skill shortages it seems very short sighted to make an insulting offer to a group of highly skilled employees.

Beven Hanlon said that Inmate Instructors have stated they will no longer offer any goodwill to their employer specifically the amount of flexibility they have given on a day to day basis to ensure Inmate education is delivered efficiently and effectively to inmates.

Beven Hanlon noted that the Union had exempted the Dairy Farm Operation at Waikeria from the Industrial action because of humane concerns for the animals.

This media release was written and authorised by the CANZ National Officers.
Contact Beven Hanlon 0274 380 442