When you go to your local library, you can do more than just borrow books. You can borrow other physical and digital resources, get free access digital and creative services and equipment, find support with literacy, attend cultural events, and find a safe space for the whole community, including some of the most vulnerable in our society. All of this is thanks to library assistants, an occupation that is predominantly female and long acknowledged as undervalued and underpaid. This year’s local elections are an opportunity for them to be recognised for value they provide to our communities.
UNDERVALUATION ESTABLISHED, CLAIM EXTINGUISHED
In 2019, the PSA raised a pay equity claim with six of the largest councils in New Zealand: Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Although this claim was raised before the Equal Pay Act was amended in 2020, it fell under the scope of that legislation.
From 2020 to 2025, the union and employers worked hard to establish the value of the work of library assistants and how that compared with the male roles chosen as comparators. There was no material difference in the scoring between workers across the different councils, including those who provide other council services, such as receiving rates. The PSA believes this means the value of library assistant work across any council is the same or similar.
Ultimately, extensive evidence showed that library assistants are undervalued. However, the parties could not agree on how undervalued they are, and therefore the appropriate salaries required to correct the undervaluation. To try to progress the claim, the PSA filed in the Employment Relations Authority, asking it to determine the correct rate of pay for library assistants. This was the status of the claim in May 2025, when the Government undemocratically extinguished it along with 32 other live claims.
THE FIGHT FOR PAY EQUITY CONTINUES IN LOCAL ELECTIONS
But the fight for pay equity is not over. As well as campaigning to overturn this Government’s changes to pay equity, the PSA is pursuing other ways to lift the pay of undervalued workers.
Councillors oversee staffing budgets, and it is in their control to support pay equity for library assistants, just as some councils and councillors support the living wage. For example, Christchurch City Council, announced a pay increase of 10 to 14% for library workers in June – a step towards pay equity outside of the process under the Equal Pay Act.
SUPPORT THOSE WHO COMMIT TO ACTION ON PAY EQUITY
So, the issue of pay equity for library assistants is political. Before we vote in this year’s local elections, we should be questioning candidates on where they stand on the issue of pay equity, and supporting those who commit to action. The choice for voters is not only about rates and services, but also about valuing the people that work in our communities.
Library assistants are our neighbours who show up to support our communities every day. They teach digital skills, run literacy programmes, support those who are vulnerable to navigate our systems, and hold safe and welcoming spaces. All that, and they can find you a great book to read. They deserve to be recognised and valued for the work they do.
