Organisation says talks on benefit ongoing under collective agreement
Unionised employees of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) have filed personal grievance claims against their employer saying they were denied access to health insurance.
More than 180 members of the Public Service Association (PSA) lodged the claims arguing that they are being discriminated against because they are union members.
According to the employees, NIWA denied them access to health insurance that was granted to non-union staff as a wellbeing initiative.
"NIWA said in September that the health insurance was a well-being policy offered to all permanent staff. However, when union members accepted the offer, NIWA refused to give it to them in an attempt to undermine the PSA's position," said PSA national secretary Duane Leo in a statement.
"It's deeply disappointing that NIWA would try and use staff well-being as some sort of bargaining chip."
PSA said it has also filed the matter to the Employment Relations Authority, which will be the subject of mediation this week.
According to Leo, the issue has caused a "great deal of anxiety" among PSA members, particularly those who have delayed surgery or other medical treatment in hopes that the matter would be resolved.
"The stress has been compounded because people taking up the medical insurance had to apply within 90 days to have pre-existing conditions covered," Leo said. "Even if PSA members can eventually take up the health insurance, it is not clear if their pre-existing conditions will be covered, which is incredibly hard on people."
PSA members at NIWA are currently bargaining for a new Collective Agreement, where they are seeking a fair pay offer to address the rising costs of living and the organisation's gender pay gap.
A spokesperson from NIWA added that the offer of free medical insurance to union members is also on the table for their collective agreement, Radio New Zealand reported.
The agreement has yet to be settled, according to the spokesperson, whereas those with individual employment agreements were able to accept last year a six per cent pay rise and free health insurance.
