DHB Clerical Workers, Chicken, Rally Low Pay

Sunday 14 May 2006

DHB Clerical Workers, Chicken, Rally Low Pay

“About 40 NUPE clerical workers and a chicken rallied today in Christchurch over 8% real pay cuts to over two thousand South Island ward clerks, telephonists, clinical records and other medical staff,” said Martin Cooney, Organiser with the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE) today.

“Clerical health workers and Information Services staff turned out along with the chicken on the day before the Budget and their return to talks with the CDHB on Thursday,” said Martin Cooney.

“The chicken was to illustrate how clerical health workers feel about their low pay-demic as they are in the actual pandemic front line,” said Martin Cooney. “The Government expects them to put their bodies (and families) on the line during any pandemic, but is washing its hands of providing funding to pay them a real pay increase.”

“The clerical workers are hoping that the film taken by CDHB security guards of the rally which involved singing, chanting and people doing the chicken dance will be passed onto the Health Minister as an encouragement to inject more funds for Health Board salaries into the 18 May budget,“ said Martin Cooney. “It is difficult to see what else the film would be for.”

ENDS

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