Pre-Christmas Strike In Aged Care

14 December 2005

Mediation Fails to Avert Pre-Christmas Strike In Aged Care

Members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation and the Service and Food Workers Union are disappointed mediation with Leslie Groves Hospital and Lesley Groves Rest Home in Dunedin has failed to avert a planned 24 hour strike on December 21.

The two facilities are operated by the board of St John’s Parish (Roslyn) Friends of the Aged and Needy.

“Although the employer has offered a reasonable percentage pay increase our members are not prepared to be locked in to an agreement for two years,” said NZNO advocate Lorraine Lobb today.

Lorraine Lobb said union members were clear prior to mediation that industrial action would result if the employers insisted on a two year term.

“Our members have been locked into two year terms with this employer before,” she said.

“They do not take any decision to take industrial action lightly but they cannot commit to an agreement for this long and risk falling behind if pay rates in the sector improve.”

Lorraine Lobb said claims by the employer that a two year term was good for staff was misrepresenting the feelings of their staff.

“Our members and the entire negotiating team are very clear that this will not benefit them and we are hopeful the employer will reconsider and avert industrial action.”

Lorraine Lobb said the strike action was planned for 7am Wednesday 21 December until 7am Thursday 22 December.

ENDS

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