Source: Radio New Zealand
The agreement included a pay increase of 2.5 percent from December 2025 and a further 2 percent from December this year. 123RF
After months of negotiating and strike action, Health New Zealand and the union for allied health workers have reached a deal.
The Public Service Association (PSA) said its more than 12,000 members – including physiotherapists, anaesthetic technicians, and social workers – voted overwhelmingly to accept the union-backed offer. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/582490/health-workers-should-accept-proposed-collective-agreement-union
The new collective agreement included a pay increase of 2.5 percent from December 2025 and a further 2 percent from December this year, in addition to a $500 lump sum payment.
The union said there was also a commitment to a new pay scale for sterile sciences technicians (who work with medical devices in operating theatres and wards), to improve safe staffing and set up a $400,000 national professional development fund.
PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said while the union didn’t get everything it asked for, it accepted it was the the best offer it could get for now.
She put the result down to industrial action.
“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.”
Fitzsimons said allied health workers delivered essential care to New Zealanders every day and the settlement was recognition of their contribution.
She said voting was now underway for two other collectives that covered more than 4000 members including mental health and public health nurses.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
