Strike to go ahead at Brackenridge Estate (ex Templeton Centre)

“NUPE and NZNO members at Brackenridge estate have voted to reject the new offer from their employer” said Janice Gemmell (NUPE Organiser)

The new offer saw an additional 1% added to the 4% already on offer. However this additional 1% would comes at a cost with cuts to training, maintenance and weekend outings for residents.

“The members, who hold caring for residents as their top priority, rejected the minimal pay increase offered at the expense of the quality of life of Brackenridge residents. Members stated that the weekend outings are incredibly valuable for the residents and something they really look forward to and value. They will not accept this being slashed for a 1% improved offer”

As a result of this vote the strike scheduled to commence on Friday at 7:00 am will proceed as planned” said Janice Gemmell. The strike action is scheduled to take place from 7:00am on Friday 11th through to 7:00am on Sunday 13th January. There will be a complete withdrawal of labour over this period.

“Unions are currently in bargaining for a new collective agreement and are frustrated and angry that Brackenridge Estate is not prepared to make a decent pay offer on their base pay rates, penal rates and are not prepared to pay any overtime rate despite staff regularly working a lot of additional hours.” says Janice Gemmell

“Many of the staff at Brackenridge are paid $14.50 per hour. Care Givers who have been at Brackenridge since its establishment in September 1999 have seen their pay packets increase by $2.50 over the 8 year period. This works out at an hourly rate increase of 32cents per year. Add to this the fact that Brackenridge is a 24 hour a day 7 day a week operation where no overtime and virtually no penal rates are paid and you get an appalling

rate of pay despite incredibly loyal staff and increasingly complex work says Janice Gemmell.

“Staff just want to be valued and recognised for the incredibly important work they do. Staff are simply fed up with not being valued.”

“It has been said that the true measure of an advanced society is how it treats its most vulnerable. If the government finds it acceptable to pay barely above the minimum wage to very experienced and committed carers who care for the most vulnerable, what does that say about our society.”

There will be a picket at Brackenridge from 6.30 am on the 11th January and will remain for the duration of the strike.

The Unions are currently waiting for the contingency plan to be provided as to whether there is any request for assistance for life preserving services.

Brackenridge Estate is at 150 Maddisons Road Templeton
Head South out of Christchurch and turn Right off the Main South Road at Templeton – Kirk Rd – and then left down Maddisons Rd.

ENDS

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