The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi has cautiously welcomed Labour’s promise to restore pay equity legislation and deliver an immediate $4-an-hour pay rise for around 65,000 care and support workers.
NZCTU Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges says the proposed increase, worth around $160 a week from 1 January 2027 for a full-time worker, would make a meaningful difference for workers struggling with rent, groceries and power bills.
But the union movement says an immediate wage increase should not be confused with achieving pay equity. The NZCTU says it will continue pushing for a full settlement for care and support workers and for other women whose pay equity claims were discontinued following changes to the Equal Pay Act in 2025.
Labour has committed to restoring the legislation within its first 100 days without requiring affected workers to restart the process from the beginning. The party has also indicated it wants a care and support worker settlement completed by its first Budget in May 2027 if elected.
The NZCTU says years of campaigning by workers and unions including E tū, NZNO and the PSA have helped return pay equity to the centre of the election debate, with both Labour and the Greens now committing to restoring pay equity and funding a care and support worker settlement.
The Council says it will be watching closely to ensure election commitments ultimately translate into negotiated settlements and higher pay for workers.
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