A report to Auckland Council shows the stress staff feel in relation to Covid-19 has increased, while their feelings of health and wellbeing have decreased. Photo: Supplied
The union representing Auckland Council staff is concerned a looming restructure will pile the pressure on remaining workers.
Auckland Council has advised staff that 94 workers will lose their jobs and 68 vacant roles will be disestablished.
Public Service Association national secretary Duane Leo said staff who remained at the council would be stretched too thin to cover the sinking lid, and hard-working people would be affected.
"We're concerned for the livelihoods of members who will lose their jobs. And we're concerned for the livelihood of members who will now have to do even more work with even less support."
Leo said the council has indicated it also plans to significantly impact the roles of 51 current staff and create 25 new roles.
"Where the council sees numbers on a balance sheet, we see hard-working people making a difference in their communities. Staff that remain at the council will be stretched thin to cover the disestablished roles."
This week, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown backtracked from some proposed cuts to the council's budget, saying there would still be funding for Citizens Advice Bureau, homelessness initiatives, the Southern Initiative, regional grants, and funding for regional events, arts, and culture.
"Mayor Brown has listened to the people and communities of Tāmaki Makaurau when it comes to arts and social services," Leo said.
"But he should recognise that the council needs enough staff to serve its communities properly."
He said Brown had not entirely ruled out some reductions, and had talked about shifting services to a more sustainable footing. That may involve a request for central government funding for some services, leaving some uncertainty over the medium-term.
Photo: RNZ
"Softening proposed cuts was a step forward, but this restructure is two steps backwards," Leo said.
"We urge Auckland Council to pull back on other significant cuts. Austerity is not the answer to ensuring Auckland remains a vibrant city delivering for its communities."
Meanwhile, Leo said Auckland Transport's proposal to cut 150 roles is a step backwards for the workers and the city's public transport.
"Consultation with our members on the transport cuts has been rushed and we're really worried that the proposal will end up impacting transport services quite apart from the impact on the lives of valued workers," he said.
Auckland Council has indicated the updated mayoral proposal for the annual budget is due by the end of this month, with final decisions made by the council's governing body next month.
On Wednesday, Brown said he was walking back on some proposed funding cuts to regional services.
"I have listened carefully to public feedback and the views of elected members," Brown said.
"There is just about a consensus that Auckland Council should not proceed with all the cuts to social and cultural spending that council staff proposed to me in December."
But he did not rule out some cuts to services.
"A substantial reduction in operating expenditure across the group remains crucial to balancing the budget, which will include some cuts to regional services. I agree that we should not proceed with the cuts that come at the expense of services that are highly valued by local communities."
