Politicians fail to share burden of recession, say protesters

Matthew Martin | 30th November 2009

We are bearing the brunt of the so-called recession. Peter Clover, union spokesman

If it's good enough for the country's politicians then it should be good enough for us.

This was the sentiment expressed by union members on the picket line in Rotorua yesterday, protesting over a wage freeze imposed on them by the Government.

Almost 100 members of the Service and Food Workers Union (SFWU), the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) and the Public Service Association (PSA) lined Arawa St outside the entrance to the Rotorua Hospital in a noisy and colourful display voicing their displeasure at the Government's wage freeze.

Out in force were community support workers employed by the IHC, New Zealand's largest provider of services to people with intellectual disabilities.

Service and Food Workers Union spokesman and IDEA Services worker Peter Clover said they gave their clients a chance at a normal life and all that staff were asking for was a cost of living increase.

"We are bearing the brunt of the so-called recession and to be offered zero per cent on an already low wage is an insult," Mr Clover said.

IDEA Services is the service arm of the IHC.

IDEA Services area manager Merepeka Raukawa-Tait said although the strike action had caused some inconvenience, the organisation "had things covered".

"But it is the right of the staff to strike if they have issues.

"We appreciate the union and give them credit for giving us plenty of notice," Mrs Raukawa-Tait said.

IDEA Services staff were joined on the picket line by Rotorua Hospital workers who were on strike for four hours yesterday.

Orderlies, food service workers, cleaners and security staff working at Rotorua Hospital were also unhappy about their wage freeze.

Union delegate Bernie Hose said a zero per cent pay offer "did not pay the bills".

"In 2007, we received a pay increase that bought us up to $14.62 an hour.

"But this is still well below the average wage of $22.96 an hour.

"Everything is going up but the pay is not," she said.

"When you hear about Rodney [Hide] and Hone [Harawira] spending taxpayer money on holidays and not being held accountable then something is wrong," Mrs Hose said.

Lakes District Health Board communications officer Sue Wilkie said the hospital was aware of about 13 members of the union who were on strike but did not expect any problems.

"We do have a few staff who have gone to cover Taupo [Hospital]," Miss Wilkie said.

Not everyone was impressed with the strike action.

The Daily Post received a number of complaints emailed from members of the public who were trying to work through the noise from protesters.