Members at the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs have agreed in principle to a wage increase of 10% for 3 years, and a new 9 day fortnight rostering entitlement, along with other beneficial changes.
Members sought a 5% per year wage increase, with the department initially offering a 2.75%-2.5%-2.5% increase, but increasing their offer after our members stood firm for a higher wage increase. Members also received an increase to their wellbeing allowance from $280 to $400, a new $20 travel allowance for out of hours office call backs to handle urgent passport matters, and increases to the call out allowances paid on top of overtime. Finally, members have also received an additional day of leave in the agreement to mark New Zealand’s national holiday, Waitangi Day, in recognition of the cultural ties many of our members still hold to their New Zealand identity.
Members also sought 10 days paid reproductive health leave, and while we were unable to win this, we were able to secure additional discretional leave from the department for reproductive health reasons upon the existing 15 days of personal leave.
This increase to wages and conditions is a testament to the strong union culture onsite, which remains at 100% density!
