Strike action looms at Te Roopu Taurima O Manukau Trust

Staff at Te Roopu Taurima O Manukau Trust– New Zealand’s only kaupapa Maori residential disability provider - have voted to take strike action over the organisation’s failure to settle collective agreement negotiations and the attitude of management towards staff.

PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff says “we represent about 450 Te Roopu Taurima staff and have been trying to get a collective agreement settled for over a year but management is determined to drive down pay and conditions and break up the collective agreement.”

“Te Roopu Taurima claims it is in financial difficulty but has continually refused to provide financial information to back that up.”

He says “there are some very serious questions over the way Te Roopu Taurima is being run by management and the board which are impacting on staff and the quality of care to clients. We have repeatedly raised red flags about the situation.”

“Negotiations have been dragging on more than 12 months. Staff are now at a point where their patience has been exhausted and the vote for strike action reflects that frustration.”

Staff at all 57 residences run by the Trust will be involved in the industrial action taking place in the New Year.

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