Unions defend public servants

Council of Trade Unions' president Helen Kelly says Mr Key's speech was full of "electioneering and gimmicks".

She says Mr Key is tapping into a vein of public misunderstanding, by using the label of "bureaucrat" for all state servants.

Helen Kelly says many public servants are doing valuable work in backrooms, where they develop plans to tackle problems like youth crime.

PSA national secretary Brenda Pilott, says a cap on the number of public servants is unworkable.

She says the distinction that Mr Key makes between bureaucrats and front line staff does not hold up.

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