New Zealand Minister Collins Criticizes Unions Amid Strikes

Public Service Minister Chris Collins has publicly criticized unions amid ongoing strikes affecting New Zealand’s healthcare and education sectors. In an open letter addressed to the people of New Zealand, Collins expressed regret for the disruptions caused to patients, students, and families. She stated, “We regret even more that the strike appears to be politically motivated by the unions,” describing it as a “coordinated attack” on the government.

Collins’s remarks particularly ignited tensions with unions, especially regarding the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA). She claimed that during negotiations earlier in October, the union’s top agenda item for a meeting with Education Minister Erica Stanford was Palestine, rather than pressing issues such as student achievement or curriculum changes. “Palestine. Not terms and conditions. Not student achievement. Not the new curriculum. Palestine. That’s not what students or parents should expect,” Collins asserted.

In response, PPTA President Chris Abercrombie refuted Collins’s claims, stating that the union was asked by the minister’s office to propose an agenda that would not overlap with active bargaining claims. The proposed agenda included four items: Palestine, changes to the NCEA assessment system, AI marking, and curriculum discussions. Abercrombie clarified that although Palestine was listed first, there was no specific order of priority. The scheduled meeting was subsequently canceled, and the union is now seeking a new time.

Collins also addressed the more than 6000 New Zealanders who have faced delays in medical appointments and procedures due to the strikes. “I know some of you are living in pain, and in fear of a possible diagnosis that will now be delayed,” she said. “This industrial action is unfair and unwarranted.”

The minister emphasized the government’s responsibility to manage national finances prudently, particularly amid increasing demands for funding across various sectors. “From cancer drugs to social housing… the country is simply not earning enough to meet all these calls,” she noted.

The executive director of the Salaried Medical Specialists Association, Sarah Dalton, expressed disappointment regarding Collins’s understanding of ongoing negotiations. She criticized the government for offering salary increases below the rate of inflation, specifically referencing a 5% increase offered to senior doctors spread over 28 months, which equates to less than 2% per year. Dalton called for a more serious approach to addressing recruitment and retention issues, particularly in smaller hospitals and key specialty areas.

Amid these developments, PSA union National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons accused Collins of politicizing the situation and urged the government to return to the bargaining table with employers to resolve the dispute. She remarked, “The minister has inflamed the dispute… because they have failed to listen properly to the concerns of health workers.”

Abercrombie reiterated that the government has the opportunity to avert further strikes by presenting a suitable offer to teachers. He highlighted the current shortage of 550 teachers in secondary education for the upcoming year, according to ministry figures, and stressed the need for a strong workforce to implement upcoming changes to the curriculum and assessment systems.

The situation remains fluid as both sides continue to navigate the complexities of negotiations and the impact of industrial action on New Zealand’s essential services.