NZ workplace relations updates for June 2024
Read on for a summary of ER events.
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More job cuts and reduction of key services across NZ. In summary
Fred A – specialist health team will be affected as will be digital security. The growing needs of business and private citizens in NZ seems at odds with central government action.
1 June
After seven months of negotiations workers at Godfrey Hirst Lower Hutt plant have walked off the job for 24 hours. The strike comes after workers were offered 3.5% in wage increases and a $500 one off payment when negotiations are settled.
Workers are demanding a higher increase, one that is more inline with the cost of living increase.
Fred A – with the current annualized private sector employer/union negotiated increase on average being 4.64%, any offers substantially below this is moving into strike territory. The mid-year CPI is forecast to come in at around the 3.5 (RBNZ May 2024). The issue of economic reality vs employee perception needs to be carefully considered into any negotiating strategy. If management get this wrong, then strikes are probable.
4 June
Nearly 300 blood service lab workers have gone on strike, demanding pay parity with their Health New Zealand counterparts. Blood Service stated that while they budgeted for increased pay, the new rates were higher than expected and the Blood Service receives no government funding for pay equity settlements, however they remain committed to matching Te Whatu Ora pay rates.
6 June
The Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety has announced plans to amend the Holidays Act 2003. Proposed changes include shifting annual leave from an entitlement system to an accrual system and pro-rating sick leave for part-time workers, as outlined in an exposure draft.
Unions are saying that the proposed changes will negatively impact people how are already suffering from inequality in society.
https://union.org.nz/proposed-holidays-act-changes-undermine-workers-entitlements/
Fred A – Changes to sick leave & annual leave entitlement for part-timers will be celebrated by employers.
10 June
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/519092/industrial-action-halves-auckland-s-peak-train-capacity
More disruptions to Auckland train services after maintenance workers have announced they too will join strike action.
Strikes by Auckland One Rail staff have been ongoing since the weekend, already put pressure on the rail network.
As part of the action, CAF workers will stop overtime work , will partially withdraw labour, and will also only be doing scheduled checks and no other repairs or breakdown work.
Fred A – the ongoing disruption to AKL rail service is starting to test the patience of the commuting public
12 June
Tertiary Education Union is concerned about job cuts at the University of Otago’s School of Biomedical Sciences due to a $7.1 million savings target. Despite needing more doctors, government budget constraints limit funding for medical training, leading to fewer teachers for more students. This risks education quality and future shortages.
Fred A – have seen this in other parts of the world where lowering teaching standards results in poor quality health services.
12 June
St John ambulance drivers are continuing their industrial action until settlement has been reached on their agreement that has expired six months ago.
The action includes:
Fred A – we are putting the public at risk. Central government needs to step up with funding!
17 June
Victoria University of Wellington Staff and students want the university to pay living wages to all employees this includes, cleaners, tutors, administrators and other support staff.
The living wage is under discussions in the current collective bargaining.
Publications such as the Northern Advocate, Hawkes Bay Today, Bay of Plenty Times, Rotorua Daily Post, and Whanganui Chronicle are on the line, with cuts to journalists and the elimination of all photo-journalists if the NZME job cut proposal proceeds.
Fred A – cost cutting, and job losses in the traditional media continues. The media sector is likely to move to AI support more rapidly than most others.
21 June
Union workers at Farro Fresh are threatening to strike due to dissatisfaction with the company’s latest pay offer and plans to introduce a 90-day trial period for all new employees. Employees are currently being paid between minimum wage $23.15 and $24.20 per hour.
First Union want Farro Fresh to pay living wages.
Fred A – First Union battles upmarket Farro Fresh to pay in line with the living wage. The union states they are still paying employees lower wages than the other supermarkets.
25 June
Unions are alarmed by the government’s plan to prevent private contractors from challenging their employment status in court. The consultation is taking place ahead of Uber’s attempt to overturn a court ruling favouring drivers in the employment court.
ACT has campaigned to amend the Employment Relations Act, so independent contractors cannot challenge their status in court.
Fred A – this runs against developments in the UK and AUS. Seems to be a political agenda to limit the rights of individual employees.
27 June
Lab workers in Palmerston North, Wanganui and Gisborne will withdraw all labour for 3 days in July. This action is in response to Sonic Healthcare’s latest offer, which includes a smaller cost-of-living adjustment than previously proposed over a shorter term. The union demands an increase in line with the cost-of-living increase and a retention payment to address the significant pay gap between Sonic and Te Whatu Ora laboratory workers, which can be up to $27,000 annually. Mediation is scheduled for July 5.
Fred A – A full 3 day withdrawal of labour in the current economic climate indicates employees and union are up for a real scrap.
30 June
Baxter Healthcare workers in Auckland and Christchurch are withdrawing their labour for one day July 1st. Workers have been fighting for a fair pay rise for 5 years and feel dissatisfied and undermined due to the performance-based pay.
Baxter Healthcare produce and supplies medications for hospitals.
Fred A – more strikes in the Health Sector involving First Union. Negotiations in this sector is heating up……I expect much more turbulence over the next 5 months.
Disclaimer: Fred A’s comments are solely his personal opinion and should not be viewed as factual or as an authoritative commentary in regard to any published article, individual and organisation.
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Image Credit/ Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
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