27 January 2014
UCOL strikes in Palmerston North, Whanganui and Masterton
UCOL staff from Palmerston North, Whanganui and Masterton are going on strike this Thursday (30 January) as they
increase the pressure on their employer for fairer pay. TEU members want a 2.5 percent pay rise. Staff working at UCOL
have seen their salaries go backwards compared to inflation and the rising cost of living.
After UCOL refused to offer a pay rise last year, Tertiary Education Union (TEU) members at UCOL voted late in December
that they would go on strike and also take other industrial action to show their boss they deserve a fair pay rise.
The first of those actions was to be a strike during a large staff meeting planned for this Thursday, however that
meeting has now been cancelled by UCOL and is being replaced with smaller staff meetings at each of the three campuses –
Palmerston North, Masterton and Whanganui. TEU members will now be on strike during those meetings and holding pickets
outside their places of work letting the public know if UCOL Chief Executive Mr McElroy really wants to motivate his
staff, he should treat them fairly by offering them a pay rise.
TEU deputy secretary Nanette Cormack says staff are disappointed they are beginning the year this way but they hope by
taking direct actions early they can avoid this dispute disrupting students education later in the year.
“Working at a polytechnic such as UCOL helping students get skills and jobs should be a good fair paying job for local
people. Instead local academics and support staff have sat on stagnant pay for too long, and are finding it harder to
support their families.”
Timing of strike and location of pickets:
10.30am – 12 noon Thursday 30 January, Palmerston North - Princess Street, Whanganui and Masterton picket sites to be
advised.
ENDS