From education to health to ports, industrial action rolled into winter with more pay disputes, strike notices, and a new law aimed at partial strike deductions. Here’s a round-up of what’s been happening across Aotearoa and what it could mean for people leaders in the months ahead.
1. Education Sector Industrial Action
Industrial tensions remain high across schools:
- Teacher Aides & Support Staff: NZEI members rejected the latest pay offer from the Ministry of Education. The union said that amounted to a pay rise of four percent over three years for the lowest-paid support staff and about 1.7 percent for the highest-paid.
- Primary Teachers: NZEI Te Riu Roa says teachers have been burned by the Government’s stance on pay equity and progress at the bargaining table has stalled.
2. Health Sector – Disputes Continue
Pay and staffing pressures continue to drive action in healthcare:
- The PSA welcomed the withdrawal of suspensions and lockouts affecting 38 disability support workers at Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. A rally highlighted widespread support for the workers, whose case drew national attention.
- Whangārei Theatre Nurses: Set to strike over unsafe workloads and unresolved pay issues. Te Whatu Ora has offered a 1% increase this year, and 1% next year.
- Northland Senior Doctors & Dentists: Over 200 ASMS members are striking due to lack of progress with Health NZ, seeking a 12% increase. The parties are currently in facilitated bargaining.
- Nurses Nationwide: NZNO members held stop-work meetings, citing stalled talks and ongoing strain across services.
3. Napier Port Industrial Action Begins
Workers at Napier Port have begun to take industrial action over pay by refusing shift swaps and overtime. The Rail and Maritime Transport Union says staff are pushing back. The Port has offered a 3.3% pay increase in year one (and 3% in following years), plus around $4,000 in back pay dating from October 2024. The RMTU had sought a 3.75%, 3.5%, and 3% three‑year package.
4. Law Change on Partial Strikes
The Government has confirmed a new law allowing employers to make pay deductions for partial strike action. Union leaders say the move undermines good-faith bargaining and will increase tension during disputes. Those of us who remember what happened last time know that there will be fewer partial strikes and complex calculations to come!