CANZ attended the Directed Mediation hearing in Auckland today to seek assistance from the Mediator, Mr Keith Handley, following the Public Prisons Service decision to abandon further talks regarding the Muster Crisis. CANZ received an email from the Departments Bargaining Agent on 24th May 2005 which stated quote:

“just to confirm our telephone conversation last night, PPS sees no merit in continuing with the mediation set down for 25th May because of lack of funding for muster type payments at any level. This means that going forward PPS will have to manage the muster within existing constraints. I will endeavour to have a letter sent to you expressing this formally. As a consequence, I am advising the Mediator, Keith Handley that we will not require his services on Wednesday. We apologize for any inconvenience.”

The Public Prison Service initiated the current mediation by applying directly to the Employment Relations Authority for a hearing alleging that the union was not acting in Good Faith. The Employment Relations Authority directed the department and the Union to Mediation and for the Department to abandon the talks is totally inappropriate. CANZ has contacted the Minister of Corrections Office today seeking urgent discussions on these new developments.

Barry Noakes
National Secretary
On behalf of the National Officers