Throughout the year, thousands of PSA members have continued to mobilise to settle their pay equity claim.
Demonstrating member power
In March an open letter with more than 9,100 signatures was delivered to Te Whatu Ora, demanding urgent action on the stalled pay equity claim. On International Women’s Day, PSA delegates Eleanor Keepa, Alice Vaevae, and Pinky Kumawat were at the presentation of the letter talking about the reality and complexity of working in home, mental health, and disability support, and what pay equity would mean to them.
The open letter highlighted the gender discrimination faced by the predominantly female workforce of 65,000.
In May, care and support workers joined other unions to protest against the Government’s axing of the pay equity taskforce within Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission, which had led efforts to close the public service gender pay gap. In early June, care and support workers joined more than 1,000 people who marched through Wellington against cuts to public services and for a Te Tiriti-based future underpinned by strong community and public services available to everyone.
Calling "Time's Up"
In June, care and support workers called “Time’s Up” and took their long-overdue pay equity claim to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA). This significant escalation marked a determination on the part of unions involved in the claims to achieve fair pay for people doing this essential work and an end to gender- based discrimination.
On July 1, members from three combined unions rallied across the motu to amplify our demand that the Government fully fund pay equity settlements.
In August, the PSA rejected attempts by Te Whatu Ora to make late changes to the pay equity methodology the claim has been using, viewing it as a tactic to stall progress on a claim affecting thousands of care workers. The PSA stressed the urgent need for proper funding and equitable pay to those providing this vital service to vulnerable populations.
In late August, Margie Apa, the Chief Executive of Te Whatu Ora, spent an afternoon shadowing a care and support worker. The unions arranged this to continue the discussion about how complex and how undervalued the work is.
The fight continues
Members, delegates and officials are actively meeting with, and sending letters to, Ministers Louise Upston, Dr Shane Reti and Shane Jones, and Opposition leader Chris Hipkins, to lobby for pay equity. Training is underway across the motu to equip leaders in the pay equity campaign for effective lobbying.
In late November, unions attended mediation to attempt to advance the care and support and seek a date for the Employment Relations Authority to hear their claim.
In 2025, PSA members will continue the fight for fair recognition and respect for CPS workers and the vital work they do.