Health services across New Zealand were hit last week (16 May) as 10,000 allied healthcare workers walked off the job for 24 hours over demands for increased pay.
The workers, from 70 different professions, picketed and marched in an effort organised by the Public Service Association (PSA).
Oral therapists working for community clinics, which provide free dental care for under-18-year-olds, were among them.
One industry trainer said he regularly warned graduates they would still have to live like poor students when they started working.
Executive Member of the New Zealand Oral Health Association, Sam Carrington said starting wages for graduates were often just 80c above the minimum wage, causing most to favour the private sector.
“It’s a no-brainer really what they decide to choose, and so this is why the service itself is under constraint at the moment,” Mr Carrington (pictured) said.
He said children were frequently being sent to hospital in significant pain from dental issues due to the overwhelming demands on the service.
District Health Boards (DHBs) have been negotiating with the PSA for 18 months on allied health worker pay.
An offer to the health workers was made the Friday before the strike call, following recommendations made by the Employment Relations Authority, but the PSA quickly rejected it, saying it was below its bottom line.
Campaign Organiser for the PSA, Will Matthews said it had been a number of years since this group of health workers took action and it represented the frustration felt across the professions.
“The DHBs have failed to produce a fair offer. Health workers do not want to strike, it is our last resort,” Mr Matthews said.
“After two years of shepherding this country through the COVID-19 pandemic and receiving nothing for it, these workers have had enough.”
Spokesperson for the DHBs, Keriana Brooking said she respected workers’ right to protest, but thought the offer made was “decent”.
“We understand that the PSA negotiators have not put that out to their members — we would like them to do so,” Ms Brooking said.
Wellington, 17 May 2022
