7 April 2009 - "The Government has condemned 6000 local government staff and their families to more than a year of job uncertainty," says PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff.

He was responding to the Government's decisions on Auckland Governance released this afternoon.

The Government has shunned the Royal Commission recommendations that the majority of staff will be transferred /rolled over from existing councils. Instead it has decided that ' rationalisation [will be] mostly completed by October 2010".

"Understandably, our members will be nervous and uncertain about how their jobs will be affected, especially in the current economic climate," says Richard Wagstaff.

"Another concern is that all the staff restructuring will be hastily carried out by an Establishment Board appointed by the Government instead of by democratically elected Auckland representatives."

"We are going to be closely monitoring the transition process from day one," says Richard Wagstaff.

"This restructuring should not be taken as an excuse to cut, privatise or contract out council services. That would almost certainly mean a decline in the quality of current services such as libraries and parks enjoyed by the citizens of Auckland."

"The PSA and other unions are ready to constructively engage in the change management process to ensure Aucklanders get the best possible value from their new council. Retaining a skilled and experienced local government workforce will ensure that happens. That was the Royal Commission's intention."

"The PSA will be seeking a meeting straight away with the Establishment Board that is overseeing the transition."

"We want to make sure that there is a smooth transfer of existing staff with no redundancies or reduction in current terms and conditions," says Richard Wagstaff.

The PSA has 2400 members working for Auckland's eight local authorities and council controlled organisations.