Dozens of NZTA staff face axe
More than 200 workers at the NZTA face the prospect of having to reapply for jobs and about 36 are at risk of being made redundant under fresh restructure proposals.
Staff in the agency’s regulatory group, which is responsible for regulating driver licensing, vehicle safety, commercial transport operations and rail safety, were reportedly briefed on the plans this week.
The proposals affect about 10 per cent of the NZTA’s total workforce, according to the Public Service Association (PSA).
The plan proposes a net loss of about 36 roles, with staff having to reapply for 214 new positions in a new-look structure. Feedback on the suggestions closes on May 5 and final decisions are due to be announced by May 28.
The PSA says about 50 roles in Wellington are impacted by the move, along with 60 in Palmerston North and others based in regional New Zealand, such as Whangarei, Hamilton, Napier and Nelson.
Positions targeted reportedly include compliance and licensing leadership, certification and technical officers, regulatory policy and standards specialists, and technical administration and support staff.
Duane Leo, PSA’s national secretary, notes the changes come less than a year after the first phase of restructuring at the agency.
“This is the second restructure in under a year. Staff are exhausted. Constant reorganisation is corrosive – it destroys morale, drives away experienced people, and disrupts the services the public depends on,” says Leo, pictured.
“This is what happens when the government tells agencies to live within reduced baselines – real people pay the price.
“These are dedicated public servants who regulate our transport system – processing driver licences, certifying vehicles, monitoring commercial transport operators, overseeing rail safety compliance.
“They didn’t create the government’s budget problems, but they’re the ones losing their jobs because the Government prioritised tax cuts over public services.”
Leo adds the move risks experienced staff leaving or being unsuccessful in redeployment, taking with them “decades of institutional knowledge” about how the transport regulatory system works.
"Drivers, transport operators and members of the public who rely on these services should expect delays. Processing times for licences, permits, vehicle certifications and border entry assessments are all likely to blow out during and after this transition.”
The PSA opposes the NZTA’s plans and is calling on it to minimise any job losses and offer only genuine redeployment to permanent roles.
Mike Hargreaves, NZTA’s regulatory manager, says the proposals aim to make the agency more efficient and effective so it can operate within its budget.
He adds final decisions will only be made once all feedback has been received and assessed, reports The Post.
