Frustrations are bubbling within some of our care workers as they prepare to walk off the job.
An impasse in talks around pay and conditions means nearly 3000 IDEA Services workers will go on strike on Monday.
Alastair Duncan from E Tu union says its parent company, IHC, is making things difficult.
"This employer came in wanting to cut sick leave, this employer came in wanting to remove a number of protections that give staff stability in their lives."
One employee told the Gisborne Herald many employees are burned out.
"We’re working way beyond our hours and are under-staffed," said Marie Thomas. "We get physically and mentally abused by [some of] the people we support. We’re lucky one of us has not been killed."
IHC has been contacted for comment.
- Damning survey shows aged care workers are burnt out
- Pay boost for care and support workers
- 'I was getting mentally unwell'
Duncan says it's a last-ditch effort to improve things.
"This is a tragic indictment on an organisation that has a magnificent history of caring for others, but has lost sight of the need to care for its own workforce."
The four-hour demonstration will look different across the country, says Duncan.
"In Kaikoura people are going out for breakfast. In the main centres we're going to have picket lines handing out information to the public."
Newshub.
