WHEN: Today, Monday 23 July, 1pm - 3pm

WHERE: Various locations around New Zealand (see below)

WHAT: 4000 PSA members from IR and MBIE take strike action

PSA members at Inland Revenue (IR) and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) will reluctantly hold a second day of strike action today (Monday 23 July).

Members will walk off the job at 1pm for a two-hour stoppage - the second industrial action after the strike held on 9 July.

Rallies will be held in towns and cities across New Zealand, while some centres have opted to do community-based work for the period of the strike.

"We very much hoped we would not have to hold this second day of action, but our negotiations with MBIE and IR have made insufficient progress," PSA National Secretary Glenn Barclay says.

"We’re asking for fair pay systems and a modest across-the-board pay increase.

"We’re not asking the government for a handout, because we believe these two employers can afford it out of their existing baselines."

PSA National Secretary Erin Polaczuk says this is a last resort for union members.

"Our members are very reluctant to take strike action, because they know it will cause disruption.

"But they deserve better than this - and we’re asking the employers to come back to the table ready to negotiate properly."

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Details of marches/rallies around the country:

Wellington - 1.20-1:40 Members arriving out front of Railway Station, 1:50pm Rally and speeches to be held at Railway station opposite IR Asteron Building, 2:10pm rally outside Stout Street

Christchurch - 1.30pm March from Cashel Mall to Bridge of Remembrance, 2pm Rallies and speeches at Bridge of Remembrance

Auckland Central - 1.20pm Picket along road side outside Aotea Square, 2.00pm Rally and Speeches on the steps of Aotea Square

Auckland South - 1.00pm Members meet at Manukau Court Square, 1.30pm March to the corner of Great South Road and Wiri Station road for placard activities

Whangarei - 1.00pm March though town and to Laurie Hall Park, 1:30pm Rally and speeches

Hamilton - 1.30pm Members march from Bryce St, 2.00pm Rally and speeches at Garden Place

Dunedin - 1:20pm Volunteer work at Otago Community Hospice, 293 North Road, North East Valley, Dunedin

Tauranga - 1pm Members to march from IR Building 306 Cameron Road, down Cameron Road, Elizabeth Street, up Devonport Road to "Tauranga on the Waterfront" (1 Second Avenue)

Napier - 1pm walk to local Adoro Café, 1 Dickens Street, Napier stand with placards

Centres doing volunteer work:

Palmerston North - Briefing outside IR office and then members letterboxing 5000 flyers asking people to donate to Women’s Refuge

Invercargill - 1:10pm Members will be walking through Queens Park (Gala Street) collecting rubbish

Nelson - 1.15pm Members planting trees at Tahunanui. Meet at open area near the volleyball courts (near the Beach Café)

New Plymouth - details to be advised

Members in Timaru, Gisborne and Greymouth will walk off the job, with activities tbc

ENDS

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