Battles intensify as mega-strikers remain at loggerheads with govt

Friday, 14 November 2025

Workers involved in October’s mega strike remain at loggerheads with the Government, as a large question mark hangs over whether any disputes will be resolved by Christmas.

Three weeks after more than 100,000 workers were estimated to walk off the job, negotiators are still thrashing it out. For some, the situation has escalated as the Employment Relations Authority is called in, for others, dates are set down to strike.

Nurses

From Monday, almost 40,000 Health NZ nurses and midwives will undertake partial strike action until the end of November.

It will mean they will refuse to be redeployed to cover shortages and refuse non-rostered additional work, and for the last week refuse to agree to any roster changes.

The latest NZ Nurses Organisation update stated there was no set date for the next round of bargaining, but they remained “actively and positively engaged” in the process.

Secondary teachers

Following a major breakdown the week before the mega strike, the Public Service Commission (PSC) and secondary teachers’ union are now in facilitation.

Parties can apply to the Employment Relations Authority to facilitate bargaining if negotiations hit road blocks or become deadlocked.

Bargaining can continue and strikes and lockouts can still occur. The ERA then makes recommendations.

Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche said it was his “strong hope the ERA will be able to help us come to an agreement”.

Primary teachers, principals and support staff

The primary school sector represented the largest portion of strikers - with NZEI estimating nearly 40,000 unionised members walking off the job last month.

NZEI president Ripeka Lessels confirmed they would return to the table for primary teacher negotiations on November 25, while the principals and support staff collectives either met earlier this month for negotiations or have further dates in December.

Lessels and national secretary Stephanie Mills met with Roche on November 7 to relay their “core priorities”.

Allied Health

Allied health workers, which covers about 11,500 physiotherapists, occupational therapists and social workers, are striking for four hours on November 28 following mediation.

They began working to rule on November 4, which means they do no unpaid work and take their lunch and tea breaks.

They have been bargaining since June.

Other health workers

Mental health and public health nurses voted this week to also strike on November 28. The 3500 workers, also represented by the Public Service Association, would strike for four hours following mediation with Health NZ last week.

Policy, Advisory, Knowledge and Specialist workers - about 1700 workers who cover areas such as health IT systems and payroll - also join the strike on November 28.

ACC

The PSA, also representing ACC workers, is still locked in facilitation, with the next meeting scheduled on November 24.

The 1200 ACC workers were the minority outside health and education workforces that participated in the mega strike. They represent about a quarter of workers at ACC, which has 4500 staff.

Senior doctors

Prior to the mega strike, Health NZ applied to the ERA to fix the terms of the collective. The hearing began the same day as the strike. A decision has not yet been made.