More than 4000 public service workers will walk off the job next month after failed negotiations for better working conditions.
The Public Service Association (PSA) says the Government refused to budge during negotiations on Thursday, and even brought a worse offer to the table for Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and Inland Revenue employees.
"Our bargaining teams went to today's meetings prepared to talk and to find common ground which might avert this potentially disruptive action," PSA national secretary Erin Polaczuk said.
"They were shocked and deeply disappointed at the employers' defiant take-it-or-leave-it attitude."
The PSA says MBIE bosses proposed longer hours for the same salary.
"It's bizarre for employers to come to the table with strike action looming, and actually bring an offer that is worse for their staff," said Ms Polaczuk.
Two two-hour strikes are scheduled for July 9 and July 23 unless a common ground is found.
Nurses are also set to strike in July, rejecting an offer that would see their biggest pay boost in more than a decade.
Newshub.