DHB admin and clerical workers raise claim for equal pay

Around 7000 DHB workers are standing together to raise a claim for equal pay for administration and clerical employees.

Public Service Association members have raised an equal pay claim with DHBs around the country, claiming their work is worth more.

They have raised the claim on Administrative Workers’ Appreciation Day, which marks the massive contribution that admin staff around New Zealand make to their workplaces.

"DHB clerical and administration staff are among the poorest-paid workers in the health system, and around 90 per cent of them are women," PSA National Secretary Erin Polaczuk says.

"They keep the system running, but most are paid little more than the minimum wage because their jobs have been considered ‘women’s work’.

"This claim, raised under the process recommended by the Joint Working Group on Equal Pay Principles, will set about ending this once and for all."

The claim has been endorsed by nearly 5000 PSA members working in DHBs.

Representatives of the DHBs have received the claim and say they are looking forward to working through the process set out by the Joint Working Group.

"Administration and clerical workers keep our health system on its feet, and the importance and value of their work has been overlooked for too long," Ms Polaczuk says.

"This claim is about more than money - it’s about recognising the important role these women play.

"We look forward to fruitful discussions with the employers, and a swift resolution to the claim."