Summarised by Centrist
The Government will reintroduce pay deductions for partial strikes under a bill announced by Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden.
Partial strikes, where workers refuse to perform certain tasks while remaining on the job, have caused disruptions across public services, including healthcare, education, and transport.
“Intentionally causing disruption to customers or the employer’s output is currently a permitted collective bargaining tactic, but employers’ options to respond are limited,” van Velden said.
Examples cited include radiology staff reducing MRI scans by 50 percent, teachers refusing to teach certain year groups, and train operators disrupting shift changes. The Minister argued these actions delay vital services and unfairly impact the public.
Under the bill, employers will be able to deduct either a proportionate amount of pay based on unperformed work or a flat 10%, provided they give written notice to affected employees. Unions disputing deductions can escalate matters to the Employment Relations Authority.
Van Velden said the change aims to “rebalance the rights and consequences of industrial action” and incentivise both sides to negotiate solutions while minimising disruptions to communities. With many public sector agreements set to expire in 2025, the Government hopes the bill will support better service delivery.
