Whanganui UCOL staff members yesterday joined their colleagues from Palmerston North and Masterton in a protest over pay increases.
Around 30 people chanted and waved placards on Taupo Quay, outside the UCOL campus. Many passing vehicles tooted in support. Lawrence O'Halloran, from the Tertiary Education Union, which represents around 55 Whanganui UCOL staff, said the protest came about because UCOL was "refusing to give staff a pay rise".
"The collective contract expired in October and we have been in negotiations with UCOL ever since. But things have unfortunately reached a standstill."
Mr O'Halloran said the union was requesting a 2 per cent pay increase, while UCOL was offering a nil pay increase.
"All the staff want is a fair pay increase. In recent years their pay has gone backwards in terms of the link between pay and inflation."
Mr O'Halloran said the protest was timed to coincidence with a formal morning tea UCOL's senior management held to welcome staff back for the academic year. "We're not interested in their morning tea - we want to be treated fairly."
He said staff were encouraged by the public's response to the protest.
UCOL's director of communications, Christine Beech, said staff had received either a pay increase or a one-off payment every year since 2000, except for 2002.
"This year, unfortunately, we're not able to offer either of those options due to less government funding."
Ms Beech said UCOL respected staff's right to strike.
"The union walked away from the table, but we are still willing to negotiate," she said.