“It’s not just about the money — it’s about respect, dignity and justice for women,” Wellington nurse and NZNO delegate Mel Anderson told attendees at the Labour-Greens hosted Parliamentary breakfast, flanked by her children, mother and wider whānau. “To have them all stopped is utterly gut-wrenching.”
Anderson said she had seen the positive effect of Te Whatu Ora’s 2023 pay equity settlement, which had led to improved morale and reduced turnover.
“As a result of this progress, I know I am being paid fairly for my skills and my knowledge.”
“But the loss of all current pay equity claims means my colleagues in the community, health and education sector will not get the same opportunity for fair pay and respect,” she said.
‘Our grandmothers, our mothers, us — and, now unfortunately, our daughters and our grand-daughters as well are going to have to continue this fight.’
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“By halting these claims, the Government is undermining the progress we’ve made and sending a message that women in low-paid industries are not worth fighting for.”
Wellington primary health nurse Rose Stewart, who attended with her daughter Lucy Stewart, said nurses were “very angry” with the unexpected decision. She was personally affected, by the loss of a Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa pay equity claim — one of an estimated 50,000-plus NZNO members impacted.
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said it was important for communities to come together and fight against the shared harm caused by the current Government.
“They just cannot get away with the urgency with which they have sought to hurt women.”
‘The only c-word I can think of is ‘change this Government’ because it’s really really damaging.’
Labour’s education and women spokesperson Jan Tinetti said women’s battle for pay equity “doesn’t end here”.
“We had . . . one of the most egregious pieces of legislation passed in urgency last week. This is so gutting for so many people, particularly so many women around the country.”
Tinetti said, like many women, she was extremely angry. But from the anger must come action, she urged. “We need to stand up together and fight back.”
“Deliberate distractions” would not stop women standing up against the law change, said Tinetti, in an apparent reference to Workplace Relations Minister Brooke Van Velden’s own allegations of sex-based discrimination.
Council of Trade Unions (CTU) national secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges, who brought her mum Judith and baby daughter Sofia, said women’s fight for equality had been around for generations — and now would likely continue for many more.
“Our grandmothers, our mothers, us — and, now unfortunately, our daughters and our grand-daughters as well are going to have to continue this fight because of the way this Government has gutted the Equal Pay Act last week.”
Ansell-Bridges said she could barely express the anger in words she had felt and heard from others around the motu since last week’s Equal Pay Act amendment. “But at the same time, [I felt] the determination that has been felt by everyone who has been involved in this fight — for generations, and decades,” she said.
“We’re not going to stop until everyone in this country is paid what they’re worth.”
E tū co-president Muriel Tunoho said the Government had “kicked a hornets’ nest” with its move. But she was excited to see communities turn out in protest, and move from anger to hope.
“This struggle is about restoring the mana of wāhine. We don’t deserve to be treated like this,” she said.
“The only c-word I can think of is ‘change this Government’ because it’s really really damaging. The harm this Government is raining on tangata whenua, women, workers, rainbow communities — and we want to stand up collectively to fight against that.”
Mel Anderson called on the Government to support its lowest-paid women workers.
“Stand with us, in our fight for equity and show us that New Zealand is a country that values and respects its workers regardless of gender. Because when we thrive, Aotearoa thrives.”
Tens of thousands of NZNO nurses, midwives and kaiāwhina are likely to be impacted by the Government’s mass-dumping of pay equity claims — alongside tough new thresholds for claims.
The change also affects the early childhood, primary and secondary teacher workforces as well as social workers. Estimates have suggested more than 150,000 women workers could be affected.
NZNO — which had 10 pay equity claims scrapped under the law change — would refile its claims and would keep members updated, chief executive Paul Goulter told Kaitiaki.
They were for care and support workers (with other unions); aged care nurses, Plunket; primary practice and urgent care; private hospitals; community nurses and carers; midwives; Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa; laboratory nurses and staff.
NZNO is calling on members to sign and share the protect pay equity petition which calls on Government to restore all existing pay equity claims.
