The Public Service Association says an Invercargill City Council plan to cut staff pay by up to 50% is a "cruel, unnecessary and legally questionable" move.

In a statement issued today, the PSA says council chief executive Clare Hadley informed council staff of her intention to implement wage cuts in a newsletter sent out to staff on April 22. 

She reportedly outlined that those working full time would continue to receive 100% pay, those working part-time would receive 75% pay and those whose roles mean they could not currently work under alert level restrictions would receive 50% of their pay. 

National Secretary of the Public Service Association, Glenn Barclay called the pay cuts "aggressive" and highlighted the fact staff were asked to make up lost income by using their annual leave. Mr Barclay also pointed out that, only a few paragraphs earlier, the ICC had announced a "strong financial performance" and anticipated "an increased financial surplus". 

"We are disgusted to see an employer who can afford to look after their staff choosing instead to kick them while they’re down," Mr Barclay said. 

"Those of us staying home are doing exactly what’s required to win the fight against COVID-19, but now a rogue employer wants to punish people for doing their part. Anyone who treats workers like this should be ashamed of themselves," he said. 

He said the worst affected people were mostly employed at Invercargill’s pools and libraries as these were among the lowest-paid council staff. The decision to cut their pay would cause hardship to rate-paying Invercargill families.

The ICC has been approached for comment on the PSA’s concerns.