Public Service Minister Collins Criticizes Unions Amid Strikes

Public Service Minister Chris Collins has publicly criticized unions in New Zealand for their ongoing strikes, claiming these actions are politically motivated. In an open letter directed at New Zealanders, Collins expressed regret for the disruptions caused to patients, students, and families due to the industrial action, describing the strike as a “coordinated attack.”

Collins specifically targeted the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) regarding their priorities, stating that during negotiations in early October, the union’s agenda highlighted Palestine above critical educational issues. “Palestine. Not terms and conditions. Not student achievement. Not the new curriculum,” Collins stated, emphasizing that this was not what students or parents should expect from their educational representatives.

The response from the PPTA was swift. President Chris Abercrombie clarified that the minister’s assertion misrepresented the situation. The union had submitted four agenda items for discussion with Education Minister Erica Stanford, including Palestine, NCEA changes, AI marking, and curriculum matters. Abercrombie asserted that while Palestine was listed first, there was no hierarchy among the topics. He also noted that the meeting was cancelled, with the PPTA seeking to reschedule.

In her letter, Collins reached out to over 6000 New Zealanders whose medical appointments and procedures were postponed due to the strike. “I know some of you are living in pain and in fear of a possible diagnosis that will now be delayed,” she said, labeling the industrial action as “unfair and unwarranted.” She underscored the government’s responsibility to manage the nation’s finances, especially during challenging economic times, stating, “The country is simply not earning enough to meet all these calls.”

The Salaried Medical Specialists Association’s executive director, Sarah Dalton, expressed disappointment over Collins’ comments, arguing that both Collins and the Health Minister were misinformed about the negotiation processes. According to Dalton, the government continues to offer sub-CPI increases to doctors, which do not adequately address recruitment and retention challenges, particularly in smaller hospitals. “The five percent increase offered to senior doctors over 28 months amounts to less than two percent per year, which is below current inflation rates,” she stated, adding that the government’s approach to bargaining needs serious re-evaluation.

Union leaders, including Fleur Fitzsimons, the national secretary of the Public Service Association, accused Collins of politicizing the issue. Fitzsimons urged the government to engage in meaningful negotiations, asserting that the minister’s remarks had exacerbated tensions. “The government has only itself to blame for the strike, because they have failed to listen properly to the concerns of health workers about safe staffing and delivering good care.”

Abercrombie reiterated the urgency of addressing staffing shortages in secondary education, noting that the government had failed to make suitable offers on key issues affecting teachers and students. “There are 550 teachers short in secondary for next year, according to ministry figures,” he said. “We need to ensure our curriculum and our senior leaders are supported to deliver a once-in-a-generation curriculum-assessment change.”

As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that the stakes are high for both education and healthcare in New Zealand, with unions and the government at an impasse. The outcome of these negotiations will be pivotal in shaping the future of public services across the country.