In response to a pay dispute leading to strike action by approximately 1,000 civilian Defence Force staff, New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins has invoked special powers to deploy military personnel in essential civilian roles.
Striking workers, represented by the Public Service Association (PSA), have increased their industrial action by refusing overtime, taking combined breaks, and limiting duties that require work at heights or off-site.
Collins, citing the need to ensure security and maintain critical functions like firefighting, confirmed she had formally authorised the use of uniformed Defence Force staff to temporarily cover roles critical to national security and public safety. The move under the Defence Act has not been used since 2001.
The PSA has criticised the action as an attempt to undermine their industrial efforts.
Assistant Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons argued the NZDF’s dependence on the civilians showed the unfairness of the Defence Force’s refusal to increase pay, particularly as living costs continue to rise.
The union is now seeking urgent legal advice on the legality of the decision.
Perfectly legal.
Now what happened in 2001??
Oh, that’s right, 9/11
“Collins, citing the need to ensure security and maintain critical functions……..”
This is the same old/new dogma of “Health and Safety” which delivers perfect argument for fascists to decree.
Health and Safety……who could possibly be against that……anything goes…….trust us……we protect you…..just give us your hide.
And your children.
Hey, somebody has to pay for that.
“Defence Minister Judith Collins has invoked special powers to deploy military personnel in essential civilian roles….”
Are we in Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft?
Who gave her that power?
By what authority?
Can she polish her own halo or has she got a knighthood?
Is she copying her eyebrows from Pelosi?
I do hope Judith will retire soon.
With all due respect she’s obviously an idiot.
She doesn’t deserve your respect
Yep, agreed.
So basically scabs…..lovely……….
Judith Collins needs to be arrested and sectioned under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1992/0046/latest/DLM262181.html
She’s clearly a very dangerous moron.
Judith needs to retire.
She’s become senile and dangerous sadly.