Pay Disputes Dominate May 2025
Read on for a summary of ER events.
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1 May
More than 5000 senior doctors and specialists walked off the job on 1 May in a 24-hour nationwide strike—the largest of its kind. The action disrupted 4300 planned procedures and appointments.
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says low-ball salary offers and chronic workforce shortages are pushing doctors to breaking point and driving many to Australia, where pay is up to four times higher. Health NZ says its offer is fair and includes base pay increases of up to $29,911, and had applied to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) for facilitation.
Health NZ has mostly stuck to its original offer, which includes a 1.5% cap on total pay increases over two years. Its latest proposal added a pay boost for around 500 new specialists to ensure they don’t earn less than junior doctors.
Fred A : The low trust between the parties is unlikely to resolve the pay and staffing dispute. The longer it drags on the more entrenched the positions become. Unfortunately, the state health services are at the mercy of political thinking & direction in NZ.
6 May
The government is proposing major changes to pay equity laws, saying the current system allows claims without strong evidence of gender-based undervaluation. Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden announced that 33 current claims will be halted and must restart under stricter criteria—limiting comparisons to within the same employer or similar employers.
The changes aim to reduce Crown costs, with current settlements costing $1.78 billion annually.
Fred A: A desperate attempt by central government to balance the current budget. Much has been said on this across all media. With women in NZ making up 51% of the vote, this rushed and polarising action by Government may well influence the outcome of the next election.
7 May
Unemployment remains at 5.1%, but full-time jobs have dropped by 45,000 while part-time work rose by 25,000, indicating people can’t get the hours they need. Economist Craig Renney says there are now 37,000 more unemployed since the last election, with Māori and Pacific unemployment over 10%. Wages are not keeping up with inflation—41% of workers got no pay rise—and youth unemployment is rising sharply. Renney warns the economy is weakening and calls for urgent policy changes to support fair pay and secure work.
16 may
Dozens of School support staff had gathered at the electorate office of Erica Stanford in northern Auckland to protest the recent pay equity changes and to call for an increase in pay for school support staff ahead of the budget.
NZEI had been in negotaitions with the Ministry of Education – who has offered 0% increases.
Support staff had their pay equity claims settled between 2020 and 2023 and have had increases of up to 15.3% since 2022.
Fred A: Hey, because we gave you generous increases due to past discrimination between 2020 – 2023, don’t expect any wage increase this time round in bargaining. Is this good faith bargaining?
20 may
For the first time in over 20 years over 1500 ministry of Education workers will go on strike to protest a 2-year pay freeze and attempts to reduce terms of employment.
Staff at the ministry of education feel the action is needed as they feel that the ministry is refusing to recognise the increase in the cost of living.
Fred A: Another generous 0% pay offer by the Ministry!
26 may
Senior doctors at Gisborne Hospital will strike for 24 hours on Wednesday, citing critical staff shortages and describing the hospital as “on the brink of collapse.” This follows earlier strikes and months of failed progress, with doctors claiming 44% of senior roles remain vacant.
Health NZ says the strike undermines good faith bargaining and stresses budget constraints, but has offered a $25,000 allowance for hard-to-staff regions like Tairāwhiti. The doctors’ union, ASMS, argues the workforce has declined further despite repeated warnings to the government.
Doctors will maintain life-preserving services and use the strike to raise funds for local charity Tairāwhiti Supergrans.
Fred A: Don’t get sick in Gisborne! The few doctors still there, might be on strike!
27 May
Just two weeks after their pay equity was cancelled, dozens of mostly women Department of Conservation (DOC) workers are facing Job losses. A new proposal would see 149 roles disestablished, with only 65 new ones created—most of them part-time. Of those affected, over 90% are women. any of the roles being cut carry critical health and safety responsibilities, raising concerns about risks to staff in remote areas. The union warns that the funding squeeze on DOC endangers both workers and the environment.
Fred A: This PSA comment sums it up “This Government’s spending priorities are clear: landlords and big corporates are in, but women and the environment are out.”
28 May
370 NZNO Theatre nurse members working at Auckland City Hospital, Starship and Greenlane have begun a month-long on-call strike by refusing to be on call until the 23rd of June.
This action is in response to low pay and understaffing concerns and because of the forced longer hours of work to cover the gaps in the hospital.
The Lastest rejected offer was 1%.
Fred A: Same theme – no money for theatre nurses in AKL. 1% offer rejected and now strike action until 23 June.
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 / Finn Blackwell
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