Latest news with #Fitzsimons
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Pádraig Fitzsimons elected Mayor of Navan in Meath amid gender balance concerns
This marks Cllr Fitzsimons' third term as Mayor, having previously held the office in 2009 and again in 2021. At the AGM, he was nominated by Councillor Francis Deane, who highlighted the Fitzsimons family's deep political roots in Navan, spanning over 90 years. The nomination was seconded by Independent councillor Alan Lawes, who served as the outgoing Leas-Cathaoirleach. While Cllr Adenuga was nominated by Councillor John Duffy. Councillor Francis Deane was also elected Deputy Mayor at the same meeting. Cllr Fitzsimons paid tribute to outgoing Mayor Eddie Fennessy, commending his leadership over the past year. "His commitment and drive was incredible and the result of the elections showed that," he said. He expressed his appreciation for the support of his colleagues and family as he embarks on another term. He said: 'I look forward to working with all of you over the next year. I would like to thank my fellow councillors for all your hard work. In particular, I would like to thank my wife. We all know the commitment of the job and the pressure you can be under sometimes, so the support, love, and understanding from your better half is so important.' 'I'm honoured to have been recently elected and to get the chance again to serve the people of Navan and the surrounding areas.' He spoke about continuing his family's political tradition, noting that his grandfather Pat, his father Paddy, and his uncle Jim had all served as elected representatives. "I hope I am fit to stand in their shoes," he said. Looking ahead, Cllr Fitzsimons expressed enthusiasm about several major projects planned for the area. He said he was looking forward to seeing the development of the old St Patrick's School, the opening of the new bridge, new facilities in Johnstown, the Andy Brennan Park and Ramparts project, the Navan–Slane Greenway, the installation of new CCTV cameras, and the arrival of the train to Navan. Cllr Adenuga who ran against Cllr Fitzsimons congratulated the new Mayor, however highlighted the lack of gender balance in the mayoral pact. 'To not have gender balance in the pact for the six years speaks volume of how we're not fair,' she said. 'I hope that before this term is over, that the 'boys club' would consider the pact and allow for gender balance.' Cllr Lawes responded by pointing out that there had previously been another woman on the council, but when Fine Gael co-opted a replacement, they selected a man. "You should have raised this with your party," he said. Meanwhile, outgoing Mayor Eddie Fennessy reflected on his time in office saying, 'serving as your Mayor has not just been a role or a title but a true privilege.' "Together, we've navigated challenges, and celebrated triumphs and built connections that will last a lifetime,' he said. 'When I first took office, I made a promise to myself and to the people that I would commit to making the office of Mayor accessible to everyone and I believe we've done just that.' "Engaging with countless community groups, disability service providers, resident associations, and sports clubs has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people. Each conversation, each meeting, each event has enriched my life and deepened my love for this town,' he added. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Scoop
5 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Private Health Contracts Advance Govt's Health Privatisation Agenda
The Government's directive to Health New Zealand to give 10-year contracts to private hospitals for elective surgeries is a further step towards privatisation of health care, the PSA says. Stripping money out of the public health system to pay private, for-profit providers will not solve the Government's underfunding of health, Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says. "The long-term result of outsourcing to private providers will continue to weaken the provision of public health care by starving it of funds, giving the Government a further excuse to privatise more and more healthcare. "The plan to contract to private hospital long-term is ushering in the privatisation of the health system, which will inevitably mean syphoning money off from providing health services for all to pay profits to private corporations. This will result in only those who can pay being able to access adequate health care and other vital services. "The Government wants to drive us towards a US-style health system where the private sector dominates and sick people without health insurance are left at hospital doors. "The Minister says he is unapologetic about his directive, but the directive was kept under wraps for months. "If you judge the Government by its actions not its words, it is clear this lack of transparency is cover for privatisation by stealth of public health care. "Public health services belong to all of us and are there to deliver for people not shareholders. "Privatisation will also mean that the workers who deliver quality public, health services will see their livelihoods threatened by redundancies and reduced pay and conditions," Fitzsimons says. The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
Scoop
14-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
ERA Releases Recommendations To Settle Te Roopu Taurima Dispute Due To Public Interest
Press Release – PSA The PSA welcomes the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) making public its recommendations for settling a Collective Agreement with workers employed by disability support provider Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The recommendations, made after four days of hearings with an independent ERA Facilitator involving Te Roopu Taurima and the PSA representing 38 workers, had been confidential. However, the ERA has now released them as they are a matter of public interest, said Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons. The trust was seeking to unduly restrict secondary employment that many of the underpaid workers rely on, and to impose a 90-day trial period for new workers into the Collective Agreement. The ERA recommendations include reference to the current salary for kaitaataki (leaders in the houses providing residential disability support) not having increased for two years. It recommends an increase from $70,500 to $74,000 from 31 May 2025 and an increase to $77,600 from 31 May 2026. Other recommendations include: – No 90-day trial or probationary period; – Lump sum payments of $500 and $1200 over two years to reflect the bargaining period; – The payments to be made for extra hours; and – A process around secondary employment. 'The Authority has made the right call here in publicly releasing the recommendations that would settle the ongoing industrial dispute at Te Roopu Taurima. The parties are due to attend mediation in Auckland on Monday,' said Fitzsimons. 'The PSA did not get everything we wanted in the ERA recommendations but we accept the work of the ERA and are confident the recommendations will settle the dispute. 'The recommendations from the ERA come after an ongoing industrial dispute that has involved strikes, a lockout, which the union is contesting in the Employment Court, a threatened suspension as well as the four days spent with the independent ERA facilitator. Te Roopu Taurima Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau Trust is the country's largest provider of kaupapa Māori-based support for people with disabilities in residential facilities in Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Canterbury. 'Kaitaataki play a critical role in the work of Te Roopu Taurima including in looking after vulnerable tangata, they want to put this dispute behind them and get on with their work. 'We call on Te Roopu Taurima to immediately accept the recommendations of the Employment Relations Authority so that this dispute is settled,' Fitzsimons said.
Scoop
14-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
ERA Releases Recommendations To Settle Te Roopu Taurima Dispute Due To Public Interest
Press Release – PSA The ERA recommendations include reference to the current salary for kaitaataki (leaders in the houses providing residential disability support) not having increased for two years. It recommends an increase from $70,500 to $74,000 from 31 May 2025 and … The PSA welcomes the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) making public its recommendations for settling a Collective Agreement with workers employed by disability support provider Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The recommendations, made after four days of hearings with an independent ERA Facilitator involving Te Roopu Taurima and the PSA representing 38 workers, had been confidential. However, the ERA has now released them as they are a matter of public interest, said Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons. The trust was seeking to unduly restrict secondary employment that many of the underpaid workers rely on, and to impose a 90-day trial period for new workers into the Collective Agreement. The ERA recommendations include reference to the current salary for kaitaataki (leaders in the houses providing residential disability support) not having increased for two years. It recommends an increase from $70,500 to $74,000 from 31 May 2025 and an increase to $77,600 from 31 May 2026. Other recommendations include: – No 90-day trial or probationary period; – Lump sum payments of $500 and $1200 over two years to reflect the bargaining period; – The payments to be made for extra hours; and – A process around secondary employment. 'The Authority has made the right call here in publicly releasing the recommendations that would settle the ongoing industrial dispute at Te Roopu Taurima. The parties are due to attend mediation in Auckland on Monday,' said Fitzsimons. 'The PSA did not get everything we wanted in the ERA recommendations but we accept the work of the ERA and are confident the recommendations will settle the dispute. 'The recommendations from the ERA come after an ongoing industrial dispute that has involved strikes, a lockout, which the union is contesting in the Employment Court, a threatened suspension as well as the four days spent with the independent ERA facilitator. Te Roopu Taurima Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau Trust is the country's largest provider of kaupapa Māori-based support for people with disabilities in residential facilities in Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Canterbury. 'Kaitaataki play a critical role in the work of Te Roopu Taurima including in looking after vulnerable tangata, they want to put this dispute behind them and get on with their work. 'We call on Te Roopu Taurima to immediately accept the recommendations of the Employment Relations Authority so that this dispute is settled,' Fitzsimons said.
Scoop
14-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
ERA Releases Recommendations To Settle Te Roopu Taurima Dispute Due To Public Interest
Press Release – PSA The ERA recommendations include reference to the current salary for kaitaataki (leaders in the houses providing residential disability support) not having increased for two years. It recommends an increase from $70,500 to $74,000 from 31 May 2025 and … The PSA welcomes the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) making public its recommendations for settling a Collective Agreement with workers employed by disability support provider Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The recommendations, made after four days of hearings with an independent ERA Facilitator involving Te Roopu Taurima and the PSA representing 38 workers, had been confidential. However, the ERA has now released them as they are a matter of public interest, said Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons. The trust was seeking to unduly restrict secondary employment that many of the underpaid workers rely on, and to impose a 90-day trial period for new workers into the Collective Agreement. The ERA recommendations include reference to the current salary for kaitaataki (leaders in the houses providing residential disability support) not having increased for two years. It recommends an increase from $70,500 to $74,000 from 31 May 2025 and an increase to $77,600 from 31 May 2026. Other recommendations include: – No 90-day trial or probationary period; – Lump sum payments of $500 and $1200 over two years to reflect the bargaining period; – The payments to be made for extra hours; and – A process around secondary employment. 'The Authority has made the right call here in publicly releasing the recommendations that would settle the ongoing industrial dispute at Te Roopu Taurima. The parties are due to attend mediation in Auckland on Monday,' said Fitzsimons. 'The PSA did not get everything we wanted in the ERA recommendations but we accept the work of the ERA and are confident the recommendations will settle the dispute. 'The recommendations from the ERA come after an ongoing industrial dispute that has involved strikes, a lockout, which the union is contesting in the Employment Court, a threatened suspension as well as the four days spent with the independent ERA facilitator. Te Roopu Taurima Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau Trust is the country's largest provider of kaupapa Māori-based support for people with disabilities in residential facilities in Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Canterbury. 'Kaitaataki play a critical role in the work of Te Roopu Taurima including in looking after vulnerable tangata, they want to put this dispute behind them and get on with their work. 'We call on Te Roopu Taurima to immediately accept the recommendations of the Employment Relations Authority so that this dispute is settled,' Fitzsimons said.
