Almost 900 PSA health workers in Nelson and Marlborough have commenced a one hour strike for the second time in four weeks today.
The strike, involving 884 workers, comes following failed mediation, which PSS says sends a clear message to the Government that they won’t back down on issues such as chronic understaffing and under-resourcing.
Nelson workers are based outside Nelson Hospital on Waimea Rd.
The local workers join 17,000 health workers, including Allied Health staff; mental health and public health nurses and healthcare assistants; and Policy, Advisory, Knowledge and Specialist (PAKS) workers, on strike around the country for a pay increase that recognises the increased cost of living facing workers and their families and safe staffing to ensure that patients get the quality care they deserve.
"These workers are standing up for the public health system that New Zealanders need and deserve," Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, says.
Life preserving service staff levels have been agreed between the PSA and Health New Zealand for the duration of the strike.
Since the strike on October 23, the parties have attended mediation through the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment but no settlement has been reached.
