Prime Minister's Blame Game Falls Flat as Union Leader Spells Out Reality of Underfunded Health Sector

New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's attempts to shift blame onto unions for strike action by health workers on October 23 have been met with strong resistance from Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pʽkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. Fitzsimons highlighted that over 16,000 health workers, who are PSA members, took the difficult decision to strike after years of failed bargaining due to the government's refusal to address the underfunded health sector. The PM's accusations that unions are prioritizing politics over patients are misplaced, according to Fitzsimons, as union members have been directly involved in negotiations for months, only to be met with inadequate pay offers and a lack of investment in staffing and funding.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 16,000 health workers, members of the Public Service Association (PSA), are striking on October 23 after years of failed bargaining, demonstrating the government's inability to address the underfunded health sector.
• Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the PSA, notes that union members have been directly involved in negotiations for months, only to be met with inadequate pay offers and a lack of investment in staffing and funding.
• The PM's blame game, shifting attention onto unions, is seen as a desperate attempt to deflect responsibility for the government's poor choices, such as giving away $20 billion in tax cuts for landlords, big tobacco, higher income kiwis, and business.
• The Public Service Association (PSA) is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards, and community groups.
• The striking health workers include nurses, IT professionals, occupational therapists, mental health specialists, and many other essential staff members who serve New Zealanders every day.
• Union leader Fitzsimons emphasizes that no union member has taken the decision to vote for strike action lightly, and the reality is that workers feel they have no choice but to take action due to the government's failure to address the health sector's challenges.

Statistics:

• Over 16,000 health workers, members of the PSA, are on strike on October 23.
• The negotiations between the union and the government have been ongoing for more than a year, with no resolution in sight.
• The government has refused to table adequate pay offers, leaving union members feeling undervalued and underpaid.
• $20 billion in tax cuts were given away by the government, specifically for landlords, big tobacco, higher income kiwis, and business.

Sources:

• PSA Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's attempts to blame unions for strike action on 23 October shows he is completely out of touch with the reality facing health workers supporting patients in an underfunded health sector.
• Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pʽkenga Here Tikanga Mahi, statement on Morning Report.
• Public Service Association Te Pʽkenga Here Tikanga Mahi website, PSA Membership and Representation.