Public servants from two Government agencies are walking off the job for two hours on Monday afternoon.
Four thousand staff from Inland Revenue and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) are demanding for fair pay systems and a pay increase.
- 4000 MBIE and Inland Revenue staff to strike next month
- Strike on the cards after 'bizarre' pay offer from MBIE
National secretary Glenn Barclay told Newshub the decision to strike did not come easily.
"This isn't a decision our members have taken lightly, but they feel that they've got no choice but to take industrial action because of the impasse that we've struck in bargaining," he said.
Mr Barclay said public servants deserve better.
"Our asks are pretty modest and we're dealing with terrible pay systems that are hard for our members and others to understand and a recognition that they need a reasonable cost of living increase," he said.
Some customers may experience delays from MBIE and the IRD after the strike begins at 1pm, according to Mr Barclay.
"We do know that there are delays already happening in Inland Revenue, we expect that that will be exacerbated by our members taking a two hour stoppage," he said.
"Similarly there's mainly contact centre type work that the public is likely to expect difficulties with at MBIE as well."
MBIE says they have prepared for the strike.
"We've got contingency plans in place and we're confident that any impact to customers and MBIE services will be minimal. For customers it should be business as usual," general manager human resources Richard Griffiths told NZME.
"We remain committed to continuing constructive discussions with the PSA and reaching an agreement that's acceptable to both parties at the earliest possible opportunity."
Newshub.
