Psychologists To Challenge 40% Pay Cut

Psychologists To Challenge 40% Pay Cut

“Wellington Clinical Psychologists are challenging 40% pay cuts made by the Capital Coast and Hutt Valley District Health Boards last night for undertaking low level industrial action as part of their campaign to gain 30% catch-ups similar to Doctors and Nurses,” said Nadine Marshall, Secretary of the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE) today.

She said that some Clinical Psychologists employed by the Capital Coast and Hutt Valley District Health Boards had been docked 40% of their pay from the date they commenced low level action, in a move by their employer that the union saw as disproportionate, illegal and likely to escalate the dispute further.

“NUPE lodged an injunction with the Employment Relations Authority this afternoon to stop the Board making further deductions from members’ pay”, said Nadine Marshall.

“The 60 plus Wellington Clinical Psychologists have decided to continue with the low level action in the meantime while awaiting the outcome of the injunction application,” said Nadine Marshall. “They are therefore continuing to attend work and simply undertaking other core clinical psychologist tasks as before.”

“The Boards needs to recognise that their militant action has escalated the dispute,” said Nadine Marshall. “Clinical Psychologists have now made it clear they are ready to undertake whatever action is required to achieve the 30% catch-up with nurses and doctors that is required to settle this dispute.”

“NUPE members from around new Zealand have also pledged their support to their Clinical Psychologist colleagues,” said Nadine Marshall.

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