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The Tararua District Council building in Dannevirke.
Public Service Association members at Tararua District Council will go on strike over pay and work conditions early next week.
They will stop work from 1pm to 5pm on Monday and for a full day on Tuesday.
Starting this week until October 13, PSA union members will all take their breaks at the same time and will not work extra hours or overtime.
The PSA represents workers in Dannevirke, Eketāhuna, Pahīatua, and Woodville.
This strike was a last resort, a PSA statement said.
“We’ve been in bargaining since November 2022, working to achieve an acceptable deal,” union organiser Dolly Larkins said.
“Our members are part of this community and see the value of the work they do. They want to keep working.
“But as workers, they only have their labour to bargain with. Since the council hasn’t acknowledged the value of their work with an acceptable deal, our members must take action.”
The members wanted the council to recognise their worth.
The statement said high staff turnover had left members struggling to cover the work of vacant jobs, and pay, especially for long-term staff, had lagged behind the rising cost of living.
“The council doesn’t recognise the effect this has on the wellbeing of our members.
“They’re having to work so much harder while their pay goes backwards, falling further and further behind the cost of living increases,” Larkins said.
The statement said by overworking and underpaying its staff, the council was negatively affecting services the whole district benefitted from.
“They’re librarians, animal control officers, customer services, revenue and communications teams. They love supporting their community and will always work their hardest for it,” she said.
“But when they are this stretched and strained, it gets more and more difficult to meet the community’s needs. They don’t want the people of Tararua to get less than the best from council services.”
The council’s chief executive Bryan Nicholson said in a statement the council valued its staff and had provided above-cost-of-living increases in the past two years.
“We are disappointed by this strike action, however we remain committed to concluding the collective bargaining.
“The council needs to be fiscally prudent and our recent 13.17% rates increase reflects rising costs, a challenge we take seriously.
“Staff turnover although concerning is expected in the current economic environment and is being felt widely across the sector.
“We continue to be committed to creating a supportive work environment for long-term retention.”
About 25 staff members will be striking and Nicholson expected minimal disruption to council services.
While striking, PSA delegates encouraged members to volunteer in community services.
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