Twenty-two security guards at Work and Income offices around the country will find out this week whether they are keeping their jobs.
The proposed cut would be the second this year and has been met with backlash, falling on the 12th anniversary of the deadly WINZ shootings in Ashburton.
Under the plan, 22 guards are set to go, on top of 20 disestablished earlier this year.
Receptionist Peggy Noble and case worker Leigh Cleveland were shot dead 12 years ago today, after disgruntled client Russell John Tulley stormed the office and opened fire.
Security guard numbers at the Ashburton office will not change following a risk assessment, but staff at other sites are set to find out their fate in the coming days. Guards were standing by this morning at the now-relocated Ashburton WINZ office.
Peggy Noble's partner, Don Campbell, said the anniversary still brought the loss back.
"When I look back, sometimes it just seems like yesterday. But yeah, this time of the year obviously it brings it back," he told 1News.
He was scathing about the plan to cut guards: "It's a stupid idea really. They just should leave it the way it is. It's obviously worked."
Public Service Association national secretary Fleur Fitzsimmons called it "a sad and sombre day".
"We need to make sure that they are never forgotten and that lessons are learned," she said.
Following the Ashburton shootings, security had been beefed up at WINZ offices around the country. But 12 years on, guard numbers are set to be slashed for the second time this year.
Fitzsimmons said staff safety was already at risk.
"Staff are not feeling safe at work at MSD in many instances. We're seeing violence. We're seeing aggression. We're seeing lockdowns becoming all too common. MSD needs to take every step it can to make sure that all staff are safe at work."
Ministry of Social Development deputy chief executive Melissa Gill said the proposal followed a site-by-site risk assessment.
"We've invested that $80 million in making our sites safe and secure. Now is the right time to consider the number of security guards as a result of a site-by-site risk assessment – and that is what is driving this proposal," she said.
"We are in the process of communicating the decision to those staff in those 22 sites this week."
Gill said minor incidents had increased over time while more serious incidents had reduced, which she said showed "our system is working as intended".
The move is pending despite thousands of security incidents and site lockdowns over the past five years.
"The aggression and violence is serious. We see threats made to MSD staff. We see people attempting to climb over desks," Fitzsimmons added.
"Our members say it's just a matter of time before a very serious incident or even a tragedy occurs."
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