Your employer Serco is a multi-headed hydra of an organisation with operative arms in many different industries across the globe.
Across the ditch in New Zealand for example they operate the Auckland South Corrections Facility on behalf of the Department of Corrections here, much like Clarence’s arrangement with CSNSW.
Your counterpart union there representing your colleagues overseas, the Corrections Association of New Zealand (CANZ), advised us yesterday that following unsuccessful negotiations with Serco around wages and working conditions at the prison (sound familiar?) they are taking industrial action in July and August to support their claims.
Members will recall the frustration you felt when Serco brought staff from their immigration centres to cover your industrial action last year.
CANZ now hold genuine concerns that the same tactic will be employed against them as has been done in the past, with strike-breaking labour imported from its operations in New South Wales – you – and Western Australia.
They have asked us to ask you that as a gesture of solidarity if you are offered a deployment in New Zealand you do not accept it.
Whilst no doubt the prospect of a trip overseas to the land of the long white cloud may be appealing, we urge you to consider the workers in Auckland who like you are fighting to have their wages and safety improved.
Their battle is the same as your battle. Your stood together and won enormous improvements to your EA in the face of considerable power and pressure. Lets support your Kiwi comrades achieve the same by not undercutting them.
If you have any queries or information about this or any other industrial matter, please do not hesitate to contact the PSA/CPSU NSW Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679.
