Mediation between fisheries officers and employer the Ministry of Primary Industries has failed, meaning 96 officers across the country will not be undertaking patrols or fisheries inspections.
Other than office-based investigations, the officers will not carry out fisheries patrols or other outdoor work, starting from today, potentially for the next three months.
At the heart of the matter MPI wants the officers to set aside 20% of their week — one day — to undertake weekend patrols and inspections, but without any financial recompense. Previously, their weekend work was just a few hours, but not a full day.
The two sides now appear to be even further entrenched after mediation.
The National Union of Public Employees, representing the 96 striking officers, claims MPI was failing to value the flexible role needed to protect fisheries, while MPI countered the fisheries officers pay and conditions had always reflected the Monday to Sunday nature of the work.
MPI human resources director Erina Clayton said there were plans in place to manage the impact, with fisheries patrols to be carried out by non-union fisheries officers, honorary fishery officers and other authorised personnel.
NUPE secretary Janice Gemmell said MPI had, during mediation, confirmed its position that every day had the same value and there would be no additional payment for weekend work.
"The [MPI] expectation is now that weekend work is a full day," Ms Gemmell said.
Ms Clayton countered it was "a very fair offer" and the week-long nature of the work "will still be the case under the new agreement".
