New Zealand labour strikes updates for November 2023

Read on for a summary of ER events.

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6 Nov

Early childhood education teachers strike over essential funding

On November 8th, teachers from around 100 community early childhood education centers across New Zealand are poised to go on strike for the first time. The strike is a direct response to the insufficient government funding allocated to not-for-profit, community-based services. Over time, the duration of agreements has decreased, going from 3 years to 2 years, then down to 1 year, with the most recent being only a 6-month agreement as teachers awaited the government’s response on funding matters.

7 Nov

Auckland Fisher & Paykel Healthcare workers picket          

https://etu.nz/industrial-action-to-begin-at-fisher-and-paykel-healthcare/

This week, 1550 Fisher Paykel Healthcare workers are picketing in the mornings and afternoons from Monday to Friday outside of their factory premises. The cause of their discontent comes from a decision to adjust weekend overtime pay to the ordinary rate., causing concern mong workers about potential earnings reduction, and the possibility of new staff taking their weekend shifts. The Company’s current wage increase offer is in-line with the inflation rate.

23 Nov

New Zealand Medical Lab Workers Strike Again Over Low Wages

1000 Awanui lab workers went on two 24hr strikes on the 17th and 20^th of November – The workers, include scientists, technicians, and phlebotomists. Lab workers were dissatisfied with the 5% pay offer they received. Currently technicians receive just over the minimum wage of $22.70 for work that is essential in treating cancer and many other conditions. In the last negotiations Awanui workers received a 6% pay increase across three years from 2019 to 2022.

27 Nov

Nurses begin fresh round of campaigning over pay and conditions

As the current New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) Collective set to expire in October 2023, nurses across the country are gearing up for a new round of bargaining. 40 Paid union meetings are being held throughout the country for Nurses for the new round of bargaining. NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter said “the aim was to put pressure on the health agency and the new government to increase funding to the sector and fix the nursing shortage; members had made it clear that they expected pay levels to match the cost of living

Fred A – commentary

It’s all about the cost of living. Unions around the country are being pushed by their members to exert pressure on employers. With the economic forecasters predicting a tough 2024 for NZ employers and the country it’s certain that wages will remain a trigger point for industrial action.

The new Conservative Coalition Government is keen to make its mark quickly. FPA’s are gone and 90-day probation for new employees is back. Other aspects regarding union rights and activities will no doubt be looked at in and after Q2 of 2024.

Confused as to the current entry starting wage in Big Retail in New Zealand? We conducted a quick confidential snap survey at the end of November. The average was $24.39ph. Currently the Minimum Wage in NZ is $22.70 and the Living Wage is $26.00.

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Image Credit/DCStudio