University and polytechnic staff vote for joint October strikes

University and polytechnic staff across New Zealand have voted to strike together for the first time.

Strike Details and Causes

About 9,500 staff members, including lecturers, tutors, professors and librarians, voted to take industrial action in October. Tertiary Education Union national secretary Amy Ross stated that members are frustrated with insecure work and insulting pay offers. The planned actions may involve half-day or full-day strikes, as well as withholding student grades or new enrolments. Ross noted that university staff face pay rises well below inflation, while polytechnic bargaining has dragged on since February because many employers refuse to join a multi-employer collective agreement or discuss pay. Data from Official Information Act research this year reveals that half of all tertiary staff do not hold permanent positions.

Sector Demands and Universities Involved

The union has called on all political parties to commit to improving tertiary sector funding, pointing out that New Zealand sits well below the OECD average and needs $900 million to reach that benchmark. Universities involved in the upcoming strikes include the University of Otago, University of Canterbury, Victoria University of Wellington, Massey University, University of Waikato and University of Auckland. Polytechnic staff from institutions such as NZIST, MIT/Unitech, Wintec, Toi Ohomai, Eastern Institute of Technology, UCOL, Open Polytechnic, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Ara, Otago Polytechnic and Southern Institute of Technology will also take part.

Management Responses

Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington acting vice-chancellor Professor Rawinia Higgins stated she awaited more details on the strike form, adding that the university values its staff and remains committed to bargaining in good faith. MIT and Unitec chief executive Professor Christina Hong said learners were contacted on Friday afternoon and assured that steps are underway to lessen the impact on teaching and learning, while respecting the right to lawful industrial action. A Massey University spokesperson confirmed the institution is preparing contingency arrangements to reduce disruption.

Context

Industrial action in the education sector typically arises when collective bargaining stalls over wages that fail to keep pace with the cost of living. Staff unions often use measures like grade withholding and strikes to pressure governing bodies during contract negotiations. Such nationwide disputes highlight ongoing debates around public sector funding and job security for academic employees.