Thousands of health workers and firefighters are set to strike again today

Brian from Mount Roskill

Thousands of health workers and firefighters will strike on Friday for the second time in four weeks after mediation with the Government and Fire and Emergency failed again.
More than 17,000 Public Service Association Union (PSA) health workers and about 2000 New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) members are striking tomorrow.
The industrial action follows the “mega-strike” on October 23, where tens of thousands of public sector workers went on one of the largest strikes in New Zealand’s recent history.
Fire and Emergency has publicly asked the NZPFU to call off its strike, scheduled from midday to 1pm tomorrow, claiming independent facilitation is being considered.
“There is zero point to this strike while the [Employment Relations] Authority considers whether to provide independent facilitation. Going ahead with it needlessly puts community safety at risk,” said Fire and Emergency deputy national commander Megan Stifler.
NZPFU national secretary Wattie Watson said the union has continued to issue strike notices as it thinks facilitation will only result in delays.
“What we need is for Fenz [Fire and Emergency New Zealand] to negotiate rather than continue to hide behind alleged government restrictions as a barrier to settlement,” Watson said.
The NZPFU said it is fighting for safe systems of work, better access to mental health programmes, efficient occupational cancer and illness processes, full reimbursement of occupational disease blood testing, fair and reasonable wages and other “important” claims.
Health workers striking tomorrow include Allied Health staff, mental health and public health nurses and healthcare assistants, and those covered by the policy, advisory, knowledge and specialist (Paks) collective agreement.
PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said workers were striking for safe staffing, fair pay, and better conditions for patients.
“These workers are standing up for the public health system that New Zealanders need and deserve,” Fitzsimons said.
Since then, the parties have attended mediation through the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, but no settlement has been reached, the PSA said.
“Unfortunately, Health NZ and this Government still refuse to hear concerns about the state of our health system. We need to see a commitment to fill vacancies quickly and staff hospitals properly.
“Health NZ’s offer would mean workers go backwards. The health system is currently being held together by these workers’ goodwill for their patients. It’s not sustainable, not fair on workers, and doesn’t serve patients well either,” Fitzsimons said.
Life-preserving service staff levels have been agreed between the PSA and Health NZ for the duration of the strike, the union said.
An estimated 100,000 workers from the public sector, including doctors, nurses, teachers, and prison staff, took part in the “mega-strike” in October.
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