The group call themselves ‘the invisible workforce’ and represent 70 different health professions. They’re already in the midst of a two-week work-to-rule-campaign – a strategy which prohibits working overtime. Christchurch Dental Assistant Raewyn Love says her and her colleagues are sticking to this closely, even if it means stopping work half way.
“We’re strictly adhering to starting on time, finishing on time, making sure we get a 10-minute break in the morning and a 10-minute break in the afternoon… if anything’s going over, we walk away, they [the dentists] get left to finish up.”
Love says while the disruption is not ideal, it's time the invisible workforce are recognised and paid decent wages.
Despite being a senior member of her team, and having worked in the profession for over 16 years, she’s barely earning above living wage.
“It's really made me feel kind of demeaned, and demoralised, and kind of embarrassed about how little I do actually earn for the amount of work I put in.”
Love says her team are struggling to attract and retain new staff due to these low wages.
Those who enter the force are having to work without the usual level of training. In an already high stakes environment, she says the problem is putting too much pressure on her colleagues.
It’s an issue PSA organiser Will Matthews says is causing similar issues across the board. Physiotherapists, throughout their career, earn $7000 less than those in comparable roles such as nurses. And Matthews says it’s even worse for other professions.
“If you are looking at our lowest paid members like sterile supply technicians and hauora Māori workers they are barely earning above the minimum wage.”
He states Australian health agencies are taking advantage of the situation.
“[They’re] actively recruiting amongst our members because they can offer tens of thousands of dollars more even at starting rates.”
