12 March 2012

Staff at Oceania rest homes around the country will decide at stopwork meetings on Wednesday whether to extend their nine-month industrial dispute.

Members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) and the Service and Food Workers Union, Ngā Ringa Tota (SFWU) will stop work from 1.30 till 3.30 pm on Wednesday 14 March to discuss the dispute over pay and conditions.

Unlike the strike action of the last two weeks, which affected 21 rest homes, Wednesday’s action will involve staff from 55 rest homes.

“Despite nine months of discussions, five days of top level mediation and two strikes, we have yet to see Oceania accept that they cannot hold onto public money intended for staff pay. The safety and care of residents is vital and this valuable workforce deserves appropriate recognition for their contribution,” said joint union spokesperson Alastair Duncan.

“On Wednesday all union members at all facilities will consider what further action is required,” he said.

“Hundreds of Oceania workers in Auckland will meet at Victoria Park at 2.00pm and march to Hargreaves St where they will protest outside Oceania Head Office.

“We will also be thanking the residents and families who have given overwhelming support for fair pay for those who care. Our industrial action is not possible without their support.”

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ENDS

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