Key New Zealand labor strikes in September 2023
Read on for a summary of ER events.
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1 Sept
OCS cleaners at the Auckland Airport are on strike for more pay and respect from their employers. OCS are part of a MECA (Multi-Employer Collective Agreement) for commercial cleaners.
Cleaners are seeking Living wages, and are currently being paid minimum wages.
Fred A – Any company still paying minimum wage will be targeted by unions, especially as in this case some employees have been on minimum wage for many years. It’s the classic debate “what can you pay vs what should you pay”
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3 Sept
5500 Doctors and 100 dentists from various public hospitals and other health facilities around the country will go on strike on Tuesday from 2pm. This comes after a failed mediation. A further 2 hour strike is scheduled for the 13th of September as well as another 4 hour strike at a later date.
Te Whatu Ora has offered senior doctors and dentists salary increases over the next year of between 7 per cent and 12.9 per cent. This amounts to an increase of between $15,000 and $26,000.
Fred A – With Nationals stated approach of – first a strong economy then we can attend to health care issues – don’t hold your breathe for a quick fix. The under resourced health sector, as well as education, corrections, police and urgent infrastructure projects are all in line for funding. Oh and don’t forget the New Zealand public were promise tax cuts. Funding (or lack of it) is likely to be a major trigger for disputes.
12 Sept
Corrections workers have rejected the Department of Corrections offer to settle the collective agreement. The corrections staff are seeking better pay increases, better work conditions for weekend and night work as well as more than the statutory 10 days sick leave.
14 Sept
Telehealth service workers (Healthline, 1737 Need To Talk?, Quitline, Gambling Helpline, Safe To Talk, Afterhours GP and more) will go on strike for 24 hours. The offer that was rejected by telehealth services was 2.5%
15 Sept
Senior doctors and dentists have voted for two additional strikes in October including a 12 hour strike and a 24 hour strike.
20 Sept
Pay disputes have led Te Whatu Ora to ask the Employment Relations Authority to step in and help. The union’s spokesperson said the offer on the table failed to even match inflation, and amounted to a pay cut for senior doctors and dentists for the third year in a row.
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Image Credit to OCS
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