Fund purpose

This fund has been established to provide limited support to assist those members in the hardest financial position during industrial action. The fund is not intended to replace deductions in paid wages or salary due to participation in NZNO industrial action.

It is generally expected that NZNO members are prepared to develop alternative means of supporting extended action.

Fund availability

NZNO recognises participation in industrial action may make it difficult for some members to provide household necessities. The fund is available for members to seek support from the fund without judgement of circumstances. 

It should be easy for members to seek access to the fund. This should be balanced with the expectation that NZNO funds will be used responsibly and sustainably.

Fund sustainability

Each financial year the Joint Hui will ensure the fund is included in the annual budget process and criteria are set to support the fund's ongoing sustainability.

The Joint Hui will also set any caps required to support the fund's ongoing sustainability. The following caps have already been set:

• The amount budgeted and therefore available in the fund for the financial year. Once the fund is expended, no further grants can be paid.
• The amount of support to be paid from the fund to each successful applicant. This amount will be reviewed as needed by the Joint Hui. 

Other caps may be set or altered later as required. 

Application eligibility criteria

1. Any applicant to the fund must be a financial member of NZNO as at the date of the industrial action(s).
2. A member can only apply for and receive one payment from the fund in any financial year.
3. The applicant must be rostered or scheduled to work on the date of the industrial action.
4. The amount deducted from the member's pay must be for a minimum of the member’s full working day on the day of the industrial action. This means part-time employees can claim their "full working day" which is less than eight (8) hours.
5. Applications must be submitted using the correct application process and be accompanied by the correct supporting documents as specified in the application process.
6. Applications must be submitted within two (2) weeks of the issue date of the payslip which shows a deduction has taken place.
7. Members who wish to apply to the fund must make the application for themselves. The application may not be made on behalf of another member.
8. The applicant must confirm they are in a position of hardship and state what the support from the fund will be used for.

Application process

Applications must:

• Use the correct process and be made using the online application form below.
• Be submitted within two weeks of the issue date of the payslip that shows the deduction due to taking industrial action.
• Include the following supporting documents:
  • A payslip (or similar official document) that shows the applicant was scheduled or rostered to work on the date of the industrial action AND a deduction in usual pay due to taking industrial action.
  • Proof of bank account, which can be either of:
    • A bank letter from your banking app or online portal showing the account name and number with the bank’s logo,
    • A screenshot of your bank statement showing the account name and number with the bank’s logo. 

Applications will be:

• Checked for completeness and eligibility before being sent for approval by the Industrial Action Hardship Fund committee. The committee is comprised of the President, Kaiwhakahaere, and at least one representative from each of National Executive and Te Poari.
• Assessed based solely on their completeness and the applicant's eligibility to apply as per the eligibility criteria set out above. Neither the administrators who assess applications for completeness nor the approving committee will make any judgements with regard to what is or is not hardship.

The personal information provided by applicants will be treated as confidential and with the utmost respect. It will be used only for the purpose of assessing the member's application, and if approved, sending funds.

Once approved, payment details will be sent to NZNO Finance and the funds will be sent to the member.

The decision of the approving committee is final.

The application eligibility criteria will be reviewed at least annually.