Workers at Tauranga's Grace Private Hospital will strike over the cost of living tomorrow (Thursday 22 October) as new inflation figures are released.
The first strike in the hospital's 40-year history will see Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO nurses and support staff walk off the job for four hours starting at midday.
NZNO Grace Hospital delegate and Perioperative Nurses College chair Lucy Middleton says rising living costs are affecting all her colleagues at Grace Hospital, not just clinical staff.
"When you read your pay slip, it looks like you're getting ahead, but at the checkout and petrol pump you realise you're falling behind. Like most Kiwis we're fighting just to stand still."
Statistics NZ figures for the year to June show prices rose 4.1%. Most members at Grace have been offered a 2.5% pay rise.
Lucy Middleton says some staff at Grace can't afford petrol to get to work and others have sought help from food banks.
"We are inviting local candidates from all parties to come and talk with us on the picket line tomorrow about the cost of living. They can hear directly from nurses, anaesthetic technicians, cleaners, kitchen staff and administrators about how rising prices are impacting them and their whānau."
Lucy Middleton says tomorrow's strike will be the first strike in Grace Hospital's 40-year history.
"We care deeply about our patients, and we've kept the strike to four hours to minimise disruption, but we can't keep falling behind."