Striking lab workers supporting each other with groceries

Some laboratory staff have started food banks for their colleagues as they finish their fifth day of full withdrawal of labour.

Awanui Labs workers are striking for a third time and say they’re prepared to keep going for as long as it takes to get better wages and working conditions.

On Monday, Apex union delegate Hunter Barnfather said members were in it “for the long haul”.

Phlebotomists working for the company picketed on Monday while lab workers were planning to follow suite on Tuesday when workers in Dunedin would also hold a midday rally at the Octagon.

The private provider accounts for around 70% New Zealand’s blood testing services covering the Wellington region south.

Last week, lab workers said they earned a starting salary of $22.70 an hour.

The union was asking for a wage increase of around 23.5% for scientists, technicians and phlebotomists to achieve parity with other similar health professions, while the company is offering what represents a 6.5% increase in cost to the business over a 12-month period – up from a previous offer of 5%.

An Awanui Group spokesperson has previously said that the union’s request was unsustainable and that the company was finding it particularly challenging to meet rising operational and business costs under its current funding model in a high inflation environment.

Barnfather said workers were “pretty peeved” over the new offer.

“We’ve been given the same offer dressed up in a different way. We’re not here for it,” she said.

Workers were already struggling financially, she said, which was why colleagues were trying to support those losing wages during strike action where they could, even providing food for one another.

Barnfather said there was no set date for the next round of negotiations, but union members were discussing their next steps.

“We want to show them we’re worth it,” she said.