Some of New Zealand's lowest-paid hospital workers are facing a five-month wait for an agreed pay increase, leaving many facing a tough Christmas.
The 2.5% pay rise and $1000 lump sum payment, agreed to following union negotiations, are not expected to reach workers' bank accounts until the end of January next year.
Health New Zealand said the delay was due to a processing backlog involving 34 other collective agreements signed before theirs.
Among those affected by the delay was Christchurch Hospital orderly Tony Knight, 73, who had worked at the hospital for 34 years.
"I love my job. Helping the sick, just looking after people really. It's been a great job," he told 1News.
Knight said orderlies, cleaners, kitchen staff and security workers took pride in their roles.
"I feel like we're the backbone of the hospital," he said.
However, he said staff had grown frustrated by the delay and had started a petition calling for better treatment.
"They need us there, you know, and yet we get the lowest pay and treated badly every time we go to negotiation. We get all these false promises, so its quite upsetting."
E tū director Finn O'Dwyer-Cunliffe said the delay was unacceptable, particularly for workers already struggling financially.
"They need the money. They can't wait for five months."
He blamed the situation on government underfunding of Health NZ, claiming the organisation was unable to process agreed paid increases in a timely manner.
"These are some of the lowest paid workers across the public health system in New Zealand," O'Dwyer-Cunliffe said.
"Some of them actually earn below the living wage, which we think is unacceptable for the largest state employer in the country."
Health NZ said the timeframe was consistent with commitments made during bargaining with the union, with pay increases from August 1 to be processed by January 31, 2027.
In a statement, the organisation acknowledged the work of hospital support staff and the valuable contribution they made to hospital operations.
It said it was committed to ensuring agreed pay changes were made as soon as possible.
But Knight said the timing was particularly disappointing for those who were waiting on their payments.
"Now's when you need it, right on Christmas."
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