Anuja Nadkarni
Frustrated public service workers have threatened to take strike action next month. This industrial action will be the first co-ordinated strike by public service employees for many years. It also comes amid threats of strike action from teachers and nurses, building pressure on the Labour-led Government, which has close links to the union movement. technology overhaul at IRD was ‘‘a mess’’, which was making life difficult for affected staff.
Payne said: ‘‘The immediate staffing crisis as a result of the past decade of underfunding of DHBs has taken a heavy toll on nurses and their ability to provide safe patient care.
‘‘Nurses and midwives do not trust that their work environment or patient care will improve in the short term.’’
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation’s chief executive, Memo Musa, said strike action was the last resort but could still happen.
Its 29,500 NZNO members had earlier voted to strike for two days in July – dependent on results for their new collective agreement offer. The strikes were scheduled for July 5 and 12, running for 24 hours from 7am. The decision was made based on a 30-day ballot that went out to NZNO members on April 23.
In recent months, bus drivers, cinema staff and workers at fastfood chains Wendy’s and Burger King have also taken strike action over pay and conditions.