Amy Ross is national organiser for Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest union, the Public Service Association (PSA) Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. She is also founder and organiser of the Social Work Action Network (SWAN), which is a network within the PSA that aims to unify and advocate for social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand.
In this podcast Amy Ross shares her experience of what she describes as the remarkable strategic victory of bringing about the first step in gender pay equity to social workers in this country. In conversation with Deb Stanfield she celebrates the courage of the original claimants, and the genuine partnership between the union and Oranga Tamariki (Aotearoa New Zealand’s child protection agency). Amy applies a critical lens to this significant historic event for women and for the profession of social work – an event she describes as taking us to a ‘whole new level of discourse.’
Kia ora, I loved this interview format as a way of understanding the progress of this important work and fantastic victory, of both process and outcome. That was an interesting discussion about the impact of disruptive ideas and the strategic importance of this decision to promote the profession in relation to other disciplines. A good reminder too of the vital role of unions and SWAN in particular and the imperative to work together for the next phase of the work. Thanks Deb and Amy!
To both Phillip and Rebecca I wholeheartedly agree with your high regard for the steadfast mahi undertaken by so many people to make this happen, and with your appreciation for the magnitude of this success. I love the clarity, thoughtfulness and strength Amy offers us in this interview and reiterate her final words about the power of the collective and the need for us to be intelligent about (and patient with) the complexity of this business we call social change!
I am so inspired by the news of this achievement! Amy Ross’s interview above is informative and has helped me understand the work taken and the significance this means for the whole of our profession.
I confess there are times I feel dispirited – progress is too slow or it feels as though there is no progress regarding structural forces impacting our communities so distructively – we know so well in our work. I can feel frustrated knowing the complex, skillful and difficult work mostly with very good outcomes that is undertaken across the country in all areas (statutory, NGOs, community etc) and yet often the lack of recognition and understanding of its complexity.
This achievement has energised me and reminded me change does happen. This milestone is not only about the incredibly well deserved increase in remuneration – it is generating a new more accurate view of who we are and the skill and value of the work we do. Kia kaha!
Great efforts and well and truly overdue.
I can only hope that this filters through to the NGO sector as this is the engine room of Social Work .This is where change happens or at least that’S the aim and we have to see pay equity here within our own profession.We cant or should not see NGO S/W ‘s doing the hard graft for sometimes half the salary that their colleagues are receiving down the road.
Hopefully the start of true pay equity for all S/W.