Nurses, midwives and health care assistants throughout Aotearoa New Zealand will wear purple on Friday to show their support for Pay Equity - and urge all New Zealanders to join them.
The Go Purple day is in recognition of International Women’s Day on Sunday. The NZNO members will be joined by members from other frontline public service unions.
NZNO delegate and Hospice nurse Anna Garton says she’ll be wearing purple after her and her colleagues’ Pay Equity claim was dumped overnight last May when the Coalition Government gutted the previous scheme.
"It was devastating for the workforces that had already put claims forward.
"The work Hospice nurses do is an important part of a caring society and we deserve to have it valued and paid fairly.
"NZNO Hospice workers have now lodged a new claim under the new system, but conditions have already deteriorated since the law change last year. Donations already fund 33% of Hospice nurses wages. Hospices can’t afford to close the gender pay gap without a Pay Equity settlement.
"I urge all New Zealanders to wear something purple to work on Friday to show their support for Pay Equity," Anna Garton says.
NZNO delegate and Waikato-based hospital nurse Tracy Chisholm will also be wearing purple on Friday, within her local hospital uniform rules.
"Hospital members received their Pay Equity claim in 2023 and under the previous scheme, were entitled to a review last year to ensure our wages keep up with similarly skilled male dominated sectors.
"Under the new scheme, we are not entitled to a review for 10 years. Over this time our wages will once again fall behind.
"So women health workers and their whānau continue to lose out and pay the price for historical gender discrimination," Tracy Chisholm says.
Editor notes:
- Pay equity in New Zealand requires that women and men receive the same pay for doing different work that is of equal value.
- Local photo opportunities can be organised on request.