Above: Stop work meeting Te Tai Tokerau, 23 July 2020

Kia ora Member,

As you know we have Mediation tomorrow and our commitment is to achieve a real improvement there. However, planning is still needed for the 3 September strike in case we need to proceed.

First action for you

We have set up a form email to Minister of Health Chris Hipkins. Please sign this as quickly as possible. Get your whānau and friends to do so too!

Strike Day key points

It is vital we are seen to be COVID-19 responsible and existing restrictions will mean:

• social distancing of two metres at all rallies/gatherings
• members will need to register their attendance at the rallies/gatherings
• we will not be able to hand out any leaflets or collect signatures of support at the rallies/gatherings
• we need to limit attendance at gatherings to only our PHC MECA members so we can manage COVID tracing and numbers
• masks/face coverings should be worn (red if possible)
• you should wear your work attire (with further touches of red) to your rally/gathering.

It is vital that you are visible and participate in a rally/gathering. We must maximise this opportunity if it goes ahead. A strike day is not a day off.

There are other activities our supporters can participate in on the day, such as wearing red armbands, sharing a Facebook post, etc.

Strike Day activities

Wellington

There will be a rally outside Parliament from 12pm-1pm.  Approval has been granted. PHC MECA members are encouraged to wear uniforms and other red options.

The rally will be silent and members will form lines with social distancing while holding signs with key messages on them.

Parliament may not be sitting on this day, but we have timed it so we will be protesting prior to the daily COVID update at 1pm. Therefore it is very important we get a good showing from all our local PHC MECA members. So please get the train or bus in and we welcome PHC members who want to travel from further away.

Christchurch

There will be a rally with members lining up on Bealey Avenue from 12pm-1pm. Other points are as above.

Other local activities

Other gatherings/rallies should take place at the same time as the larger rallies, i.e. 12pm-1pm.

Members can decide whether they want to hold a local gathering in a central area or at their workplace. In some areas this has already been worked through by local NZNO staff and you will receive local email details as soon as possible if this is the case. Please contact NZNO if any details are required.

Local rallies should follow the same structure as the larger rallies. Only PHC MECA members should attend; silent with physical distancing; members line up and holding signs with key messages; wearing uniforms with extra red; red masks etc.

A must is photos taken of each gathering and sent through to NZNO on the day campaigns@nzno.org.nz).

Auckland

We note COVID-19 restrictions for Auckland mean only 10 people at a gathering but this will still be effective.

Resources

Click here for new posters that have been developed to support Strike Day activities. These should be printed in A3 for the rallies/gatherings if possible, but A4 is still fine.

We will also provide a leaflet that can placed in practices: “Why are we going on Strike”. This will not be able to be handed out in public due to COVID-19 restrictions

Social media

A Facebook frame has been developed and will be shared late tomorrow.

However, another update is not likely until Wednesday morning as tomorrow’s Mediation is scheduled to take the full day.

Take care and keep safe.

Ngā mihi,

Chris Wilson