PSA Says Health Strikes Must Be Wake-Up Call for Government
Strike action by thousands of health and ACC workers has intensified pressure on the Government, with unions warning that cost-of-living pressures and staffing shortages cannot be ignored.
PSA Calls For Fair Offers After Strike Action
The union for more than 18,000 health and ACC workers is urging the Government to ensure that employers come back to the bargaining table with fair offers that reflect the cost of living and the urgent need for safe staffing levels to keep them and patients safe.
“The strikes yesterday should be a wake-up call and a turning point for the Government that workers are fed up and need fresh and fair offers to settle collective agreements,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
Government Direction And Bargaining Table Demands
“The next step is for health employers and ACC to return to the bargaining table with improved offers. The Government should be directing Health New Zealand that formal offers with improvements that ensure safe staffing and a pay offer that keeps pace with the increased cost of living need to be made.
“What health workers are seeking and said very clearly to the Government yesterday is that offers must reflect the cost of living and the urgent need for staffing levels that keep them and patients safe.
ACC Dispute And Workplace Culture Concerns
“For our ACC members, it’s not just about pay, what they are seeking is genuine consultation over flexible working arrangements which have been changed without consultation. These are just part of deep-seated culture issues which need to be rectified urgently within ACC.”
“These disputes can be settled. But the PSA will ballot members for further strike action if the offers are not improved.”
Current Bargaining Status By Sector
Update on bargaining:
- ACC – awaiting new bargaining dates (1,200 workers) – Health NZ Te Whatu Ora collective agreements
- PAKS (Policy, Advisory, Knowledge and Specialist agreement) – back in bargaining next week (1,700 workers)
- Mental health and public health nurses and mental health assistants – have not yet had a formal offer after 28 days of bargaining (3,500 workers)
- Allied, Public Health, Scientific and Technical agreement – forthcoming mediation (11,500 workers)
Public Support For Strike Action
Fleur Fitzsimons said workers were pleased with the strong public support they have been receiving including at rallies and in communities. A Talbot Mills poll showed more than six out of ten New Zealanders supporting the strike action (65%).
“The public understands why workers are taking these steps and backs them in their fight for fair pay and recognition of the vital work they do. It’s time to get around the table again and settle these disputes – the ball is in the Government’s court.”
Industrial disputes rarely exist in isolation. When health and ACC workers strike over pay and staffing, the debate moves beyond contracts and into the broader question of public service funding — a conversation likely to intensify heading into Election 2026.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
