Access Community Health suspend lowest paid workers as industrial action begins

Access Community Health have suspended low-paid call centre workers and coordinators for engaging in partial strike action.

Call centre workers and coordinators at the Access head office in Petone and Porirua began a three-hour ban on answering incoming phone calls at 9:00am, as part of a series of Access strike actions being taken across the country this week.

"This is an extreme move to take against action from low-paid workers," says Melissa Woolley, PSA assistant national secretary.

"To suspend and evict minimum-wage earners from their offices is a gross overreaction, and emphasizes Access’ failure to recognize their contribution to client support, and to the functioning of the organization."

Additional strike actions will be occurring at Access Community Health sites across the country, including Auckland, Whangarei, Hamilton, Havelock north, Palmerston North, Petone, Porirua, Nelson, Milton, Oamaru, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, and Balclutha.

A full day strike is scheduled for Friday 17th May, with picketing expected at the head office in Petone from 9:00am to 12:00pm.

ENDS

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