Hundreds of workers joined the nationwide multi-union mega-strike at Rotorua’s Village Green.
Most Rotorua schools are closed as teachers and healthcare workers strike for better pay and conditions.
The strike, involving up to 100,000 people, is the largest labour action in 40 years.
Hundreds of workers have descended on Rotorua’s Village Green joining the nationwide multi-union mega-strike.
Most Rotorua schools are closed today as primary and secondary teachers and support staff along with nurses, midwives, Allied Health staff and other healthcare workers walk off the job to fight for better pay and conditions,including safe staffing levels.
The strike was anticipated to be New Zealand’s biggest labour action in about 40 years with up to 100,000 people involved.
Striking members were singing waiata while holding flags and signs, a reporter at the scene said.
“That is why we stand here in support of you today.”
Otonga School teacher and NZEI member Sophie Smith (right, in blue jacket) on stage with her sign being held up by a supporter. Photo / Megan Wilson
Teachers are chanting “power to our children” and “stuff you, National”.
In her speech, NZNO delegate and Rotorua Hospital ED nurse Denise Taplin said she recently responded to an emergency call bell after a doctor had collapsed “mid-procedure”.
“She was at six hours in her shift - she made sure that all her colleagues had gone off for a break and had something to eat, but she hadn’t.”
Taplin said the doctor rested and ate afterwards and the patient “was fine”.
“It’s not just nurses that are suffering, it is our doctors as well. A lot of them are going overseas just like nurses are - I don’t blame them.”
NZNO delegate and Rotorua Hospital ED nurse Denise Taplin during her speech at the mega-strike. Photo / Megan Wilson
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions president Richard Wagstaff said the strike action was in response to a centralised Government strategy to hold down wages below inflation and to cut resources to the public service.
“And they’ve given them no proper response to the resource issues – the short staffing, the breaking down of equipment and so on.”
People gather in Rotorua's Village Green for the nationwide mega strike. Photo / Megan Wilson
Westbrook School principal Colin Watkins told the Rotorua Daily Post he had been in teaching since the 1970s.
“I’ve seen in almost every election, education and health have been used as a political football,” Watkins said.
“The situation for education and health in New Zealand is dire – it’s the worst I’ve ever known it.“
Watkins said a bipartisan approach was needed to solve problems in the sectors.
He said mainstream schools had “growing numbers” of neurodiverse students and “zero” resources to support them.
Hundreds of Rotorua strikers have gathered along Tutanekai St holding signs and flags, as cars driving by toot their horns in support. Photo / Megan Wilson
“All we’re really asking for is additional support in terms of support staff to help us.
The strike event at Rotorua’s Village Green runs from 11am to 1pm, with speeches and sign-waving.
Westbrook School teachers strike outside their Malfroy Rd school.
Striking members of these unions are participating in the Rotorua event:
Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi
New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaikiaki o Aotearoa
New Zealand Education Institute Te Riu Roa
Post Primary Teachers Association Te Wehengarua.
Wagstaff said the Government knew that “cutting wages and by basically having people overworked and underpaid” risked the workforce dissipating and leaving for “better” places such as Australia.
He said it was unfair and “quite infuriating” for workers, given that the Government has said it would address the cost-of-living crisis.
“And here they are telling their own workers – their essential workers who keep everything running – that they should expect a pay cut.”
Wagstaff called on ordinary members of the public to strike with workers to show their support.
He said they were fighting not just for themselves, but for all Kiwis.
Collins has written an open letter to patients, students and families affected by the strike.
“The Government regrets the impact on you, your children and your families that is expected on Thursday because of a strike planned by a number of unions.
“We regret even more that the strike appears to be politically motivated by the unions. What else could possibly explain that in early October, when we were trying to negotiate with the secondary teachers’ union, the number one item on their agenda for a meeting with Education Minister Erica Stanford was Palestine,” Collins wrote.
“Palestine. Not terms and conditions. Not student achievement. Not the new curriculum. Palestine. That’s not what students or parents should expect.”
She said the Government had acted in good faith and met with unions’ demands for pay increases in line with inflation.
It valued “all public sector employees” but had a responsibility to manage the country’s finances carefully, especially when “money is tight”, she said.
“It is only unions who want strikes. We ask, once again, for them to come to the table. That is the place to talk and to bargain.”
