Close to 36,000 nurses, midwives, and healthcare workers will begin a nationwide 24-hour strike today due to being overworked, under-resourced, and understaffed. Meanwhile, Health NZ has admitted that there are more than enough nurses available to work, but financial constraints mean they cannot afford to employ them all. The government is consulting with wood processors, bakers and millers as part of its workplace health and safety reforms. More than 700 Ministry of Education staff working with children with significant learning needs will put the government’s new partial strike pay-docking laws to the test working to rule.
Union coverage
- CTU: Unemployment: Construction jobs down more than 12,000 in a year, more youth out of work
- NZNO: Nurses across the country strike over ‘dire’ staffing situation
- NZNO: ‘Not enough to keep them in NZ’ – Union on why nurses are striking
- NZEI: More than 700 Ministry of Education staff to test new partial strike pay-docking laws
- RDA: Timaru Hospital resident doctor expected to do work of three, union says
Employment
- Health NZ admits it can’t afford to employ all nurses wanting work
- Current health and safety rules are unworkable, manufacturers say
- Government proposes scaffolding rules change to align with risk level
- Pharmacist says sector is under ‘immense pressure’, warns of further ‘terrible incidents’
- Labour questions need for government consultation over what chores farm children can do
Politics
- Electoral Amendment Bill passes its first reading in Parliament
- Last-minute change puts oil and gas cleanup decisions in ministers’ hands
- Voting reforms a ‘backward step’ – Human Rights Commissioner
- Cabinet Ministers defend hiking board fees for Crown bodies
- Government’s cost of living speech ‘more spin than a front load washing machine’ – Labour
Te Ao Māori
- Study finds whānau businesses offer path to economic success for Māori
- ‘Keep our Māori wards’ campaign kicks off with security caution
Economics
- Businesses should pass PayWave costs on through prices, Nicola Willis says
- Kiwibank given green light to seek $500m from investors by June (paywall)
- Kiwibank survey shows nearly half of all Kiwis raided long-term savings to survive (paywall)