For the first four hours of their shifts on Tuesday, 2500 ambulance officers nationwide withdrew their labour and took to the streets to strike. “Saving lives costs money; saving money costs lives ” was one of the key messages of Northland Hato Hone St John ambulance officers, during their first-ever strike on Tuesday . The withdrawal of labour is also set to be repeated on Saturday.
The members of First Union and the Amalgamated Workers Union NZ’s ambulance association want better pay and conditions to ensure the emergency service’s future. The unions agreed to provide life-preserving services when needed during the strikes, with St John prioritising patient safety and wellbeing..
