ACC employees to strike nationwide demanding fair pay

Introduction

More than 1,200 employees of ACC will walk off the job on Thursday, joining over 100,000 other health and public sector workers striking to protest what unions describe as the government’s ongoing underfunding of essential services. The strike will take place between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. across the country.

The Public Service Association (PSA) confirmed the action following a member vote that showed overwhelming support for industrial action. ACC workers will join around 17,000 PSA members from across the health system, including allied health professionals, mental health nurses, assistants, and IT specialists.

PSA Statement

Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the PSA Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi, said ACC staff feel “disrespected” and “ignored” by their employer and the government.

“ACC staff are being disrespected. Their voices are not being listened to, and the current pay offer does not reflect the cost of living. They have had enough,” Fitzsimons said.

She added that morale inside ACC is at “rock bottom,” referencing findings from a recent internal culture review that revealed widespread dissatisfaction among staff.

“The culture review showed that employee concerns were not treated with respect. Yet, nothing has changed,” she said.

Issues Behind the Strike

The PSA says one of the main triggers for the strike was ACC’s recent decision to enforce a minimum three-day office attendance rule without prior consultation. The union argues that this change violates existing legal agreements and further damages trust between management and employees.

According to Fitzsimons, the move “smacks of dysfunction at this critical organisation,” reflecting deeper cultural and communication issues within ACC.

The PSA maintains that workers’ demands go beyond pay. They are seeking meaningful dialogue, fair wages for lower-paid staff, and action on long-standing workplace culture problems.

Public Support and Wider Impact

Union representatives say public support for the strikes remains strong. “These workers have the public right behind them because New Zealanders know they are standing up for the services people rely on,” Fitzsimons said.

She highlighted the essential role ACC plays in the health system. “ACC workers are crucial to injury prevention, rehabilitation, and helping New Zealanders return to normal life after accidents. Yet, like many others in the health system, they feel undervalued.”

The PSA argues that resolving these disputes is critical to maintaining effective health and rehabilitation services. “New Zealanders expect a well-funded health system that values the workers who keep it running,” Fitzsimons said.

Previous Warnings and Broader Strike Context

The PSA has repeatedly warned of deep-seated issues at ACC. A statement in September 2025 titled “Time for Urgent Action on ACC Culture Problems” called for immediate reforms to rebuild staff confidence and leadership accountability.

The union has also announced multiple strikes across other public health sectors in October, including mental health staff and IT professionals supporting hospital systems.

About the PSA

The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing more than 95,000 workers across central and local government, state-owned enterprises, district health services, and community organisations.

References

1. Public Service Association, Press Release: More Than 1200 ACC Workers Join Other Health Workers In Striking Thursday, 21 October 2025.
2. PSA Statement, Time for Urgent Action on ACC Culture Problems, 4 September 2025.
3. Scoop Media, ACC Workers and Allied Health Strikes Announced, October 2025.
4. Webfit News coverage archive, Health Sector Strikes and Workplace Culture Review, 2024–2025.