Public sector mega strike set to disrupt schools, hospitals and essential services

Thousands of nurses, teachers, and other public sector workers will walk off the job today, in what is being billed as the biggest labour action in more than 40 years.

More than 100,000 people are expected to strike on Thursday, affecting schools, hospitals, and a range of public services. Most primary and secondary schools will close for the day, as teachers join nurses, doctors, and other healthcare staff to protest over pay and working conditions.

Speaking with William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Chris Ambercrombie, the New Zealand Post Primary Teachers' Association President, says teachers are striking because the Government has failed to meet the growing needs of the education sector.

“We've got students with increasingly complex needs, a workforce shortage of 550 secondary teachers this year and 500 next year,” Abercrombie says.

“That's the ministry numbers. We think the actual numbers are higher. When we talk to principals, it’s closer to the 1000 mark. We're fighting to make sure that every child has a subject specialist qualified teacher in front of them.”

The walkout will begin with nurses striking from 11am to 3pm on Thursday. Marches and rallies are still planned in parts of the country, but severe weather warnings have forced the cancellation of several major outdoor events.

Rallies in Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin have been called off, while actions in other cities, including Auckland, will continue. A rare red-level strong wind warning is currently in effect for Canterbury, Wellington, and Wairarapa, with MetService reporting life-threatening conditions from flying debris and falling trees, including widespread disruptions to transport

Chris Abercrombie, New Zealand Post Primary Teachers' Association’s President. Photo/PPTA

Health services are also expected to be heavily impacted. Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora confirmed to RNZ that more than 900 procedures and 1380 first specialist assessments will be cancelled.

Health New Zealand says hospitals, emergency departments, mental health units, and some community services will remain open during the strikes, with union members supporting non-striking staff in providing life-preserving services. Routine clinics will be closed and most home visits will not go ahead

Speaking to media, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the nationwide strikes are “deeply politically motivated”, accusing unions of putting politics ahead of public service. He says the protest will affect students, parents, and patients, particularly with exams approaching and around 6000 surgeries being delayed.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Photo/PMN News/Joseph Safiti

“It’s a tragic thing that they want to go on strike this week. From my point of view, it's incredibly politically motivated by the unions, let's be clear about it. If you care about it, stop the strike, get back around the table and negotiate,” Luxon says.

“We did a deal just last Friday with the Primary Principals Union and they came in very clear about what they wanted, clear about the trade-offs. Both parties got a good deal off the back of that.”

Deputy Labour Leader Carmel Sepuloni blames the Government for the strike, saying the coalition has failed to invest in the “right places”.

Listen to Carmel Sepuloni’s full interview below.

“On top of that, they've had some very fair and reasonable calls for things like safe staffing in our hospitals, support and resourcing in the schools so that they can do their jobs properly. They haven't had [an appropriate response] by the Government,” Sepuloni says.

“Which is what has led to this megastrike that is occurring. It is not the union's fault that we are having a megastrike. It is the Government's fault for not investing in the right places and taking these workforces seriously.”

Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche has also expressed concern, warning of widespread disruption for families and patients. He adds that his thoughts will be with those affected by these strikes.

Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche. Photo/RNZ/Dom Thomas

“Those who will miss out on care in public hospitals, education in our schools, or other essential services, and all the parents across the country who will be affected by school closures,” Roche says.

The key impacts of the strike will include closed schools, reduced access to healthcare services, and likely travel delays in city centres due to the weather. Parents are advised to check with their child’s school for arrangements, and anyone with non-urgent medical appointments should expect rescheduling.

For health advice, people can call Healthline on 0800 611 116, and for mental health support, they can call or text 1737.