Auckland Council has recently proposed cuts in its budget in an ongoing effort to reduce debt. This is likely to cut the funding for Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) centres.
CAB is a nationwide non-profit organisation that provides free and confidential advice and information to anyone seeking help with various issues. It offers advice on legal matters, consumer rights, housing, employment, immigration and many other areas.
The main aim of the CAB is to empower people to access their rights and to help them navigate complex systems and procedures. CAB advisers are trained volunteers who provide information and guidance on various issues.
The proposed cuts in Auckland Council's draft budget for 2023, which is currently in consultation till March 28, add up to nearly $125 million cutting across departments and groups. It stretches to most services Auckland Council provides, with buses, parks, libraries, recreational facilities, clubs, events and more in the firing line. The council's proposed budget cuts are in response to a $295-million funding shortfall. This includes further spending reductions.
CAB Waitakere staff called a strike on Tuesday, February 27, and held a protest outside the New Lynn Citizens Advice Bureau at Lynn Mall, asking the council to save the bureau that has 34 centres across Auckland supported by several independent charities.
The Indian Weekender spoke to Simon Oosterman, Climate Campaigner and Advocacy Sector Organiser at Public Service Association, the trade union for those providing public and community services.
How many people attended the strike?
The seven Citizens Advice Bureau Waitakere staff all went on strike.
Forty members of the community supported the workers, including representatives from local community groups such as Grey Power Waitakere, Waitakere Justice of Peace Support Group, Waitemata Community Law Centre, Migrant Workers Association and others. It may be noted that only CAB Waitakere can legally strike. The other CAB staff can’t for technical reasons.
What are your demands?
We want to save Auckland Citizens Advice Bureaus by asking people to sign our petition at www.psa.org.nz/petition and to make submissions on the Auckland Council’s proposed budget to stop them from cutting funding of our CABs.
How do you think CAB’s closure would impact the community?
CABs help Aucklanders when they are most vulnerable and have fallen through the cracks in society. For every $1 the council invests in CABs, they provide $13 of social value. The impact of the cuts will be 13 times greater than it appears, with more Aucklanders struggling to get the support they need.
CABs provide an essential connection for our Kiwi Indian community when they are most vulnerable – for those who recently arrived, those who have been here for a while, and those born here. CAB is a bridge connecting people with various other organisations, including the Migrant Workers Associations and the Auckland Indian Association.
What kind of community support have you experienced so far?
The support we received on the day, and the ongoing support after the strike, has been outstanding – well beyond anything we expected. We are so grateful that the community is helping our excellent CAB staff help them.
How do you think the closure of CABs would impact the staff?
Suppose CABs close, staff will be made redundant. Waitakere staff have some redundancy compensation as they are unionised, but other CABs without the union will likely get no redundancy compensation. Our outstanding managers and admin staff work longer hours than they are paid for, and losing their jobs because of the council’s cuts would be a kick in the guts. I am confident they will continue to volunteer in the community and do what they do best.