One Southland council has laid off staff members as a result of Covid-19 restrictions and another council is facing heat for its plans to cut staff wages. The Gore District Council chief executive Steve Parry said it had issued redundancy notices to 17 part-time staff employed at the Gore Aquatic Centre and MLT Event Centre. Glenn Barclay, national Secretary of the Public Service Association [PSA] union which represents local government workers, said staff at the Invercargill council were ''shocked and upset'' by Hadley's intention to cut their wages. Southland District Council chief executive Steve Ruru said it was not possible to have all its staff working and paid as normal during Alert Level 3. Environment Southland chief executive Rob Phillips said all its staff were continuing to receive full pay during Alert Level 3 and 4.

Source: Stuff April 30, 2020 04:01 UTC