Source: Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi
More than 1200 home support workers are being left to worry about their jobs and their futures after Health New Zealand’s decision to cut contracts held by Visionwest, Lifewise and Presbyterian Support Northern in Auckland.
The PSA is calling on Health New Zealand to transfer their jobs to the new providers on the same terms and conditions.
“Health New Zealand must guarantee that every one of these workers, both frontline carers and the nurses and coordinators who support them, transfers to whoever takes over these contracts, on the same pay, terms and conditions,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, PSA National Secretary. “We will not hesitate to take legal action to ensure that this occurs.
“Right now these workers are extremely worried about their futures and Health New Zealand owes them an explanation and reassurance.”
The group which lost the contracts is made up of not-for-profit providers Visionwest, Lifewise and Presbyterian Support Northern. They recently made a collective bid for Health New Zealand contracts to continue providing home and community support services across Auckland, Counties Manukau and Waitematā.
The organisations have each been providing home-based services to people who live alone, and currently support about 4500 older and disabled people in the region to live in their own homes.
“These workers have built special, trusted relationships with the older and disabled people they support, often over many years. Taking that away puts continuity of care, and the wellbeing of thousands of vulnerable New Zealanders, directly at risk.
“Health NZ says continuity of care is its priority. If that’s true, protecting the workforce that provides it is critical. The PSA calls on Health NZ to do the right thing by workers and the people they care for and comply with the clear provisions of Part 6A of the Employment Relations Act. We will not shy away from taking legal action to protect the interests of workers.”
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.