Latest news with #AccessCommunityHealth
Otago Daily Times
08-05-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Access support workers protest
Strikers took to the street in Balclutha in a wave of May Day industrial protests across the length of the country. About 20 Public Service Association union members who work in home support and their supporters joined the demonstration in central Clyde St last Thursday to show care provider Access Community Health they were serious about their new collective employment agreement. "We're on strike between 12pm and 2pm because we have not had a pay increase in almost two years even though the Access company's funding has gone up," Access carer Steph Duncan said. "Instead they want to reduce our sick leave, take away recognition for tenure and qualifications and bring trial periods and a raft of other things they want us to sign off on before they will even start talking about pay. "Balclutha in particular has an ageing population. It only has two residential care centres and they're both full, so there are a huge number of vulnerable people relying on our close support coming to their homes." Her colleagues sometimes managed more than 20 home visits a day, from Clinton to Mosgiel. "My mother is 92, still at home and needs two visits a day including to help her get dressed," protest supporter Liz Hollows said. "It's a state we're all likely to be in some day. "It can't be done without these workers but their numbers are dropping off because their pay and employment conditions aren't attractive and a caring nature just isn't enough after too long. "They have themselves and their own families to care for too." Access is funded by the government through a variety of contracts to provide home-based care, mainly for the elderly. Chief executive officer Androulla Kotrotsos was contacted and provided the following statement. "Access Community Health supports more than 40,000 people with nursing, personal care, rehabilitation and household assistance to enable them to live safely and independently in their own homes. 'There was an uplift of up to 3.2% for some contracts in July 2024 to meet rising costs, but it was not tagged for pay rises, nor was it sufficient to do so. "We would like to provide an increase for our workforce and understand their frustration. "It is simply not true that we are looking to take away tenure-based pay or sick leave entitlements. We remain committed to a fair bargaining process." Union representatives said they hoped for a response from Access by the end of this week before considering their next steps.
Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
‘Great and brave' Access workers seek public support
Access Community Health support workers protest on Severn St yesterday. PHOTO: JULES CHIN The wild weather across the South Island did not stop "brave" Access Community Health (ACH) workers from protesting on Severn St in Oamaru yesterday. Public Service Association (PSA) organiser Poppy Stowell said the Oamaru protest was part of union strikes throughout the country calling for the public's support for the workers' fight for better pay and conditions. About 20 support workers lined both sides of busy Severn St with protest placards, receiving toots and hollers of support from people in vehicles and pedestrians. Ms Stowell said International Worker's Day was chosen for the first strike action in almost 20 years for the workers whose employer, ACH, has not offered them a pay rise in two years. "We've got a bunch of really great and brave Access workers, care and support workers out on strike today. "In bargaining this year the employer has tried to cut a bunch of terms and conditions for these workers, trying to get rid of tenure-based pay, trying to reduce their sick leave entitlements. "And they've said, 'until you agree to all of these cuts in your conditions, we won't even talk about pay'. "So, we're really out here trying to send the employer the message that we want them to come to the table and to put their best foot forward, to put the funding that they've received back into the workers' pockets, because these guys really do an amazing job for our community," Ms Stowell said. ACH chief executive Androulla Kotrotsos said "it is simply not true" they were looking to take away tenure-based pay or sick leave entitlements. "We remain committed to a fair bargaining process ... We would like to provide an increase for our workforce and understand their frustration." ACH contracts were entirely government funded and there was an uplift of up to 3.2% for some contracts in July 2024 to meet rising costs, "but it was not tagged for pay rises, nor was it sufficient to do so," she said. Ms Stowell said better terms and conditions and pay for the workers would allow them to "live with dignity". ACH supports more than 40,000 people with nursing, personal care, rehabilitation and household assistance to enable them to live independently in their own homes. About 2939 support workers and 219 nurses are employed by ACH in New Zealand. PSA Oamaru delegate and support worker Serayna Harris said the lack of a pay increase was not fair to the dedicated support workers. "We're worth more than that. Without us, people can't stay in their homes. We are essential workers," Mrs Harris said. Ms Stowell said the workers help look after "vulnerable people" in the community. "Getting out on strike is a huge deal for these workers, because they're so committed to the support that they can provide, and to helping those people who really need it the most."
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Home Support Workers To Strike Over Poor Pay, ‘Broken' System
Press Release – PSA Nearly 1000 support workers from one of the country's largest home support companies are walking off the job tomorrow to protest chronically low pay and a recent attempt by their employer to claw back staff conditions. Access Community Health support workers will strike from 12-2pm on Thursday, 1 May – International Workers' Day – the same day as senior doctors and Auckland City Hospital's perioperative nurses will also walk off the job. 'For the first time in nearly 20 years, our members have overwhelmingly voted to take strike action,' Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi assistant secretary Melissa Woolley says. 'Despite receiving increased public funding, Access Community Health have put up an insulting offer: no pay increase, introducing 90-day trials, reducing sick days, and taking away qualifications pay steps undermining the integrity of the 2017 care and support worker pay equity settlement.' Most workers are on minimum wage or slightly above, but none have received a pay increase for nearly two years. The strike follows a two-hour stop-work meeting undertaken by workers on 15 April. 'Home support workers are an incredibly dedicated group of people – it takes a lot for them to walk off the job,' Woolley says. 'But they recognise that the incredible strain on health workers is not acceptable or sustainable – as do New Zealand's senior doctors and nurses, who are also striking tomorrow. 'The fact that Access workers are all taking industrial action tomorrow alongside senior doctors and perioperative nurses really highlights how broken the system is.' An anonymous Access Community Health worker says that their work is hugely under-valued. 'We are paid minimum wage to deliver essential care, 24/7 and 365 days a year. Our phones are always ringing because our employer cannot attract and retain staff at their current pay rates. 'The sad thing is that while we are burnt out, we know that if we don't provide the care then no-one will. At the end of the day, our clients are the ones that miss out.' Support workers play an essential role within healthcare, providing in-home care for everyone from the elderly to those with mobility issues or recovering from surgery. Their duties include using hoist equipment to lift clients, managing hygiene, administering medication, personal cares and liaising with other healthcare professionals on any changes in their clients.
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Home Support Workers To Strike Over Poor Pay, ‘Broken' System
Press Release – PSA Access Community Health support workers will strike from 12-2pm on Thursday, 1 May – International Workers Day – the same day as senior doctors and Auckland City Hospitals perioperative nurses will also walk off the job. Nearly 1000 support workers from one of the country's largest home support companies are walking off the job tomorrow to protest chronically low pay and a recent attempt by their employer to claw back staff conditions. Access Community Health support workers will strike from 12-2pm on Thursday, 1 May – International Workers' Day – the same day as senior doctors and Auckland City Hospital's perioperative nurses will also walk off the job. 'For the first time in nearly 20 years, our members have overwhelmingly voted to take strike action,' Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi assistant secretary Melissa Woolley says. 'Despite receiving increased public funding, Access Community Health have put up an insulting offer: no pay increase, introducing 90-day trials, reducing sick days, and taking away qualifications pay steps undermining the integrity of the 2017 care and support worker pay equity settlement.' Most workers are on minimum wage or slightly above, but none have received a pay increase for nearly two years. The strike follows a two-hour stop-work meeting undertaken by workers on 15 April. 'Home support workers are an incredibly dedicated group of people – it takes a lot for them to walk off the job,' Woolley says. 'But they recognise that the incredible strain on health workers is not acceptable or sustainable – as do New Zealand's senior doctors and nurses, who are also striking tomorrow. 'The fact that Access workers are all taking industrial action tomorrow alongside senior doctors and perioperative nurses really highlights how broken the system is.' An anonymous Access Community Health worker says that their work is hugely under-valued. 'We are paid minimum wage to deliver essential care, 24/7 and 365 days a year. Our phones are always ringing because our employer cannot attract and retain staff at their current pay rates. 'The sad thing is that while we are burnt out, we know that if we don't provide the care then no-one will. At the end of the day, our clients are the ones that miss out.' Support workers play an essential role within healthcare, providing in-home care for everyone from the elderly to those with mobility issues or recovering from surgery. Their duties include using hoist equipment to lift clients, managing hygiene, administering medication, personal cares and liaising with other healthcare professionals on any changes in their clients.
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Home Support Workers To Strike Over Poor Pay, ‘Broken' System
Nearly 1000 support workers from one of the country's largest home support companies are walking off the job tomorrow to protest chronically low pay and a recent attempt by their employer to claw back staff conditions. Access Community Health support workers will strike from 12-2pm on Thursday, 1 May - International Workers' Day - the same day as senior doctors and Auckland City Hospital's perioperative nurses will also walk off the job. "For the first time in nearly 20 years, our members have overwhelmingly voted to take strike action," Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi assistant secretary Melissa Woolley says. "Despite receiving increased public funding, Access Community Health have put up an insulting offer: no pay increase, introducing 90-day trials, reducing sick days, and taking away qualifications pay steps undermining the integrity of the 2017 care and support worker pay equity settlement." Most workers are on minimum wage or slightly above, but none have received a pay increase for nearly two years. The strike follows a two-hour stop-work meeting undertaken by workers on 15 April. "Home support workers are an incredibly dedicated group of people - it takes a lot for them to walk off the job," Woolley says. "But they recognise that the incredible strain on health workers is not acceptable or sustainable - as do New Zealand's senior doctors and nurses, who are also striking tomorrow. "The fact that Access workers are all taking industrial action tomorrow alongside senior doctors and perioperative nurses really highlights how broken the system is." An anonymous Access Community Health worker says that their work is hugely under-valued. "We are paid minimum wage to deliver essential care, 24/7 and 365 days a year. Our phones are always ringing because our employer cannot attract and retain staff at their current pay rates. "The sad thing is that while we are burnt out, we know that if we don't provide the care then no-one will. At the end of the day, our clients are the ones that miss out." Support workers play an essential role within healthcare, providing in-home care for everyone from the elderly to those with mobility issues or recovering from surgery. Their duties include using hoist equipment to lift clients, managing hygiene, administering medication, personal cares and liaising with other healthcare professionals on any changes in their clients. The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
