Nearly 10,000 New Zealand public servants to strike

Nearly 10,000 New Zealand public servants will strike for several hours on September 9 after talks over pay and working conditions failed to produce an agreement, their union said on Tuesday.



The action will involve workers at the Department of Internal Affairs, National Emergency Management Agency, Ministry for Ethnic Communities, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and Ministry of Social Development.



The planned strike action adds pressure on the government ahead of a national election on November 7, with opinion polls indicating a closely contested race.



Since taking office in 2023, the government has cut spending across the public sector and reduced the workforce.



The PSA said employees had been offered pay increases below inflation while facing heavier workloads and pressure on agencies' ability to deliver public services after the cuts.