Wellington City Council proposes wide-ranging job cuts

The Wellington City Council is considering making significant staff reductions, potentially affecting about 50 employees across various departments. The proposed cuts include positions from the Economic and Engagement, Creative Capital, Property, Planning, and Environment teams. Staff have been summoned to both group and individual meetings this week to discuss these changes.

The Public Service Association (PSA) has voiced its opposition, stating that more job losses are unnecessary, especially considering the city's economic challenges and the current tight job market. The PSA emphasizes that the affected individuals have valuable skills and experience, and they deserve better support during these uncertain times.

The council's decision comes amidst plans to amalgamate councils, which the PSA argues is not the right time for such a restructuring. The Public Service Association is standing by those impacted and urging the council to reconsider the proposal. Last year, the council's CEO commissioned Deloitte to review the organization's processes to improve efficiency and affordability.

The report found that the council had 330 more staff than necessary based on the number of full-time employees per thousand households. With a current workforce of 1,620 full-time employees, the council estimates that it could save up to $79 million over three years through workforce shaping, tighter spending controls, and contract compliance.

The council spokesperson confirmed that staff are being consulted on the potential changes, but they are not commenting on the specifics of the employment consultation processes at this time. The focus is on ensuring that council employees are supported, heard, and their feedback is considered in any final decisions. Once the appropriate time comes, the public will be informed of the change outcomes.