Union campaign secures ACC backdown on working from home cut

ACC has scrapped controversial proposals to force staff into the office three days a week, up from two, following legal action, a complaint to the Commerce Commission by the PSA and strong feedback from workers.

"This is a clear victory for workers at ACC and for common sense, working from home is a win-win for workers and employers," said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

"Our union delegates were instrumental in making sure ACC understood the depth of feeling. This win belongs to them and all the ACC staff who spoke up.

"ACC tried to impose this change without consultation, breaking promises made to many staff who were recruited on the basis of working from home three days a week.

"When ACC finally agreed to pause the change and consult staff on the same proposal, 80% of staff opposed the change citing impacts on well-being and work-life balance. We are pleased that ACC listened - that's what should happen when workers make their voices heard.

The PSA had challenged the original decision at the Employment Relations Authority and had sought a Commerce Commission investigation into whether the policy breached the Fair Trading Act, given job advertisements had promised three days working from home. Those actions will now be withdrawn following ACC's change of heart.

"All this could have been avoided if ACC had just listened to what the recent culture review showed about staff morale and consulted from the get-go.

"We hope this decision today marks the beginning of a more constructive relationship between ACC and its workforce, where staff are respected and consulted before major changes are imposed.

"This victory sends a strong message to all workers in New Zealand. When workers through their union organise and stand firm, we win. This is crystal clear proof of that."

The PSA will now work with ACC to settle its collective agreement which is currently in facilitation at the Employment Relations Authority.