Source: PSA
Tomorrow health and ACC workers say loud and clear the time to value us is now
Tomorrow’s strikes will be sending the Government a loud and clear message that it must invest in health workers and the public health system.
Around 18,000 health and ACC workers who are PSA members, will strike tomorrow, joining thousands of other public sector workers frustrated by the Government’s pay offers and underfunding of public services.
“Health workers are standing up not just for themselves, but for the patients who deserve staffing levels that can provide the safe, quality care they deserve,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“For three Government Ministers to claim today that the strikes are unnecessary and unfair shows how out of touch they are with the pressures on our members in a cost of living crisis and the problems facing the health system.
“We say stop with the threats and the political games and come back to the bargaining table with offers which value what health workers do 24/7 caring for New Zealanders.”
Forecast adverse weather has resulted in some rallies being cancelled and others shifted to indoor locations. See details at this link.
There is strong public support for the strikes – a Talbot Mills poll out today showed more than six out of ten New Zealanders backing the action.
“The Government was able to announce billions of dollars for new roads on Monday but still can’t find more money for the health system,” said Fitzsimons. “That’s just rubbing salt into the wounds of health workers who are exhausted from working in understaffed hospitals and frustrated that the Government expects them to accept pay offers that don’t keep up with the cost of living.”
Nelson health promotion advisor Hilary Genet works to keep people out of hospital, encouraging healthy lifestyles, from improving mental wellbeing to advising on better nutrition.
“We’re just not being heard. My work involves trying to keep our community well, so they won’t need to access our already overburdened public health system. It is sad and ironic that I have a focus on workplace mental wellbeing while our own staff’s wellbeing is at an all-time low.
“Staff shortages are already leading to long wait times for appointments and procedures. The public we serve is entitled to feel angry and frustrated. We work within the system, and every day also feel frustrated, angry and betrayed. Our community deserves better.”
Fleur Fitzsimons said the Government’s priorities were all wrong.
“The Prime Minister promised a laser focus on the cost-of-living crisis – health workers are still waiting to see evidence of that. Instead, they’re getting pay offers that expect them to go backwards while landlords and tobacco companies get big tax breaks.”
