February 03, 2022
Strike ballot for DHB staff
A Public Service Association organiser says Māori workers could have the most to gain by strike action in the health sector.
The union is balloting 10,000 members after talks broke down over a collective agreement with district health boards.
Will Matthews says DHBs offered members less than they had to other workers in the sector.
Particularly those badly affected were hauora Māori workers, who provide specialist cultural support for patients and their families,
“They’re among our lowest-paid members, even the ones with qualifications. Many of them can expect to only earn a minimum wage and many of them won’t make above a living wage throughout their careers with the DHBs,” Mr Matthews says.
Health workers face not only rising living costs but high stress and increasing workloads, with two-thirds of jobs unfilled in some departments.