Public Workers Strike for Better Conditions Across New Zealand

Hundreds of public service workers participated in a major strike across New Zealand on Thursday, calling for improved working conditions and better funding for their sectors. This nationwide protest included thousands of nurses, teachers, doctors, and other public employees who gathered in various cities as negotiations with the Government reached an impasse.

In Palmerston North, over 650 individuals marched around Te Marae o Hine – The Square, carrying flags, placards, and a black coffin adorned with the message “SOS – save our services.” While demands for fair pay were a predominant theme, union representatives also emphasized the need for the Government to adequately resource their sectors to enhance job conditions.

Rebecca Hopper, a representative from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association, articulated that the fight was not solely for teachers but for the entire community. “What we’re fighting for is simple: smaller classes, fair pay, and resources to support students,” she stated. Hopper criticized the Government’s current offer, asserting it failed to address the essential needs of students and educators alike. “When we invest in education, we invest in everyone’s future, but here’s the truth, the current offer does nothing to fix it,” she added.

Nurse Jo O’Halloran, who has worked in the healthcare sector for 47 years, expressed her concerns for future generations as she prepares for retirement. “We cannot get the level of care we want to for many places,” she remarked, highlighting that the current pay offer effectively represents a pay cut due to inflation. O’Halloran emphasized the urgent need for adequate staffing to ensure patient care. “Patients are being asked to self-manage when they should be receiving care. That is not safe, that is not fair,” she said.

Occupational therapist Dianna Mancer, a member of the Public Service Association (PSA), noted persistent vacancies in her department. She described the Government’s pay offer as an effective reduction in wages, stating, “We’re all striking today for safe staffing, fair pay, and conditions that enable us to give the quality care our patients deserve.” Mancer also pointed out that unsafe staffing levels pose risks to both workers and patients.

Teacher and member of the New Zealand Education Institute Te Riu Roa, Kate Taffs, shared the sentiment that striking is a last resort. “We need the Government to stop acting like we’re asking for a golden throne in the staffroom. We’re asking for the basic resources and respect to do our jobs properly,” she said. Taffs emphasized the stress teachers are under due to unfilled learning support roles and increasing workload pressures.

Additionally, Tony Sealey, president of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union in Palmerston North, highlighted the dangers of inadequate resourcing for emergency services. “On that day when we turn up and you guys need us for help, we’re going to have to make a decision and that decision will sit with us for the rest of our lives,” he stated, underscoring the importance of proper equipment and staffing.

In response to the widespread strike, Public Service Minister Judith Collins characterized the protest as unproductive and unnecessary. She affirmed that the Government is committed to negotiations and has made offers. Collins indicated that the strike has consequences, affecting not only the workers but also patients and children who experience school disruptions.

As public service workers continue to advocate for change, the future of New Zealand’s public sectors hangs in the balance, with demands for fair pay, better resources, and improved working conditions remaining at the forefront of their struggle.