Source: PSA
More than 12,300 Allied Health workers who are members of the PSA have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new collective agreement with Te Whatu Ora Health NZ, in a result that underlines the power of workers standing together.
“This collective agreement was reached as a result of PSA Allied Health workers who showed up, stood strong and held the line in the face of unrealistic initial pay offers,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“We didn’t get everything we wanted with the settlement but members have ratified these agreements after the Allied Health bargaining team recommended that they support it on the basis that it is the best offer the union is able to achieve at this time.
“These workers went on strike during the Mega Strike on 23 October 2025 as well as a further strike late last year and their actions have made a difference. This outcome after seven months of bargaining shows what workers can achieve when they stand together.”
The Allied, Public Health, Scientific and Technical collective covers a wide range of health professionals, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, Māori health specialists, anaesthetic technicians, and scientists.
Workers will receive a pay increase of 2.5 per cent in year one from December 2025 and a further 2 per cent from December 2026. The agreement also includes a $500 lump sum payment for staff, a new pay scale for Sterile Sciences Technicians, commitments to improve safe staffing, a contractual commitment to advertise vacancies, and a $400,000 national professional development fund.
“Allied Health workers deliver essential care to New Zealanders every day. This settlement is recognition of that contribution and a reminder that in a health system under significant strain, the workers who keep it running need fair terms and conditions.”
Voting is now underway on a union-supported settlement for two other collectives that cover more than 4,000 other PSA members, including mental health and public health nurses, policy, advisory, knowledge and specialist workers. The PSA represents more than 26,000 workers employed by Health NZ.
“This ratification result is a positive step forward but there are major problems in our health system caused by the Government imposing job losses on Health NZ and failing to fund our health system properly.
“All political parties must commit to a properly funded public health system that ensures safe staffing levels, and delivers quality care for all New Zealanders, as well as pay equity for under-valued health workers.
“We can’t afford to keep going backwards as we have done under the cuts imposed by this government.”
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.
