Source: PSA
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s attempts to blame unions for strike action on 23 October shows he is completely out of touch with the reality facing health workers supporting patients in an underfunded health sector.
On Morning Report today, the PM said kiwis are ‘getting sick of the unions prioritising the politics over patients…kiwis suffer when unions take this sort of action rather than getting around the table and bargaining’.
More than 16,000 health workers who are PSA members are striking 23 October after the failure of bargaining to settle, with some negotiations going back more than a year, said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“Unions are made up of and represent their members, and no union member has taken the decision to vote for strike action lightly.
“Mr Luxon ignores why workers are so frustrated they feel they have no choice but to take action. These are nurses, IT professionals, occupational therapists, mental health specialists and many others who serve New Zealanders every day.
“The reality is union members have been directly involved in bargaining for many months and the PM’s government has steadfastly refused to table offers that deal with the challenges facing the health system from underfunding, from inadequate staffing levels and pay that does not reflect the cost-of-living increases facing workers and their families.
“Workers voted to strike because the Government’s pay offers are so inadequate and more will vote with their feet and go to Australia where they are valued and respected.
“Unions are not the villain in the piece here as he is trying to make out. It’s his government that had made poor choices, rushing to give away $20 billion in tax cuts for landlords, big tobacco, higher income kiwis and business.
“Instead of blaming unions, the Prime Minister should be instructing his own bargaining teams to bring unions back to the table and fund adequate offers for the people who look after our sick and keep the health system running 24/7 so these disputes can be settled.
“That’s how you avoid strikes – not by pointing fingers and playing politics.”
