PSA members, who are bargaining for a new Collective Agreement, have been denied access to health
insurance NIWA has given its non-union staff as a wellbeing initiative.

The PSA has been in bargaining with the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) since May 2023. NIWA members want to bargain a fair pay increase annually and for NIWA to start addressing the growing gender pay gap, which is currently 13.5%.

Assistant Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says NIWA’s stance on health insurance discriminates against
union members and subjects them to unnecessary pressure and stress.

"NIWA said in September that the health insurance was a well-being policy offered to all permanent staff. However, when union members accepted the offer, NIWA refused to give it to them in an attempt to undermine the PSA’s bargaining position," Fleur says.

"It’s deeply disappointing that NIWA would try and use staff well-being as some sort of bargaining chip," Fleur says.

"NIWA’s stance on a policy supposed to promote wellbeing has caused a great deal of anxiety for our
members. We know of members who have delayed surgery or other medical treatment hoping the issue
of the medical insurance would be resolved," Fleur says.

As well as the personal grievance claims, the PSA has taken legal action against NIWA over the issue.
The case, which has been filed in the Employment Relations Authority, is in mediation.

PSA members picketed outside NIWA’s worksites at Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch for an hour on Thursday 29 February and on Wednesday 6 March.

Fleur paid tribute to the guidance and perseverance of the NIWA delegates on the PSA bargaining
team.

“Their work has been outstanding, particularly during such an acrimonious bargaining. The whole bargaining team have been committed to achieving the best possible settlement for members and addressing the inequalities present in NIWA’s pay system,” Fleur says.

At the time of Te Mahinga Ora going to press, bargaining with NIWA was ongoing.

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