Impending strikes on cards across public sector

Bargaining teams shocked at employers’ defiant take-it-or-leave-it attitude

Strikes and industrial action are being considered across the public sector as union members try to reach common ground in negotiations with employers over pay disputes and work conditions.

More than 4000 Inland Revenue Department (IRD) and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) staff are set to strike for two hours on July 9 and July 23, the Public Service Association confirmed yesterday.

The notice comes as nurses also prepare to strike next month and teachers and principals are voting on whether to take industrial action in August.

The PSA said its attempts to negotiate with employers had fallen flat but advised striking was the last resort.

Advocates attended 11th-hour meetings at IRD and MBIE — and say they were surprised at the employers’ inflexibility.

National secretary Erin Polaczuk said bargaining teams were deeply disappointed at the employers’ defiant take-it-or-leave-it attitude.

For union members, striking was the last resort and disputes could be resolved if employers would come back to the table ready to seriously consider the PSA’s offers, she said.

Nurses decided earlier this month to walk off the job next month.

Nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants covered by the New Zealand Nursing Organisation’s (NZNO) collective agreement have issued a strike notice for 24 hours, starting 7am, on July 5 and on July 12.

NZNO members voted to reject the DHBs’ revised pay offer of 9 per cent for all member nurses by August 2019. The offer equated to $500 million.

Health boards were making contingency

plans to ensure essential services were available if the strike went ahead, DHB spokeswoman Helen Mason said.

“We will continue to do everything we can to settle this agreement and avoid strikes.”

Meanwhile, New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) teachers are voting on whether to accept the Ministry of Education’s pay offers or take industrial action.

Teachers and principals were also asked to vote on whether a nationwide half-day work stoppage should take place from 1.30pm to 4.30pm on August 15 so members could attend union meetings. It would mean schools would close for a half a day.

Voting will occur by secret ballot at the paid union meetings of primary, intermediate and kura teachers and principals between June 18 and 29.

Mediation between the two groups ended on Monday without agreement on a revised offer. In a bid to urgently resolve the dispute the two parties asked for mediation by the Employment Relations Authority. The ERA could recommend a settlement.

However, the industrial action looked likely according to NZEI Te Riu Roa lead negotiator Liam Rutherford. “I haven’t met a single teacher that said ‘oh yeah I think the offer’s about right’.”

The outcome of the vote would be released on July 14.