IHC support workers to go on strike

Over 3000 community support workers will strike on Friday after negotiations with disabled care provider IHC failed to secure them a pay rise.

Workers would strike between 11.30am and 8.30pm to protest against low wages, said Service and Food Workers Union national secretary John Ryall.

A recent survey showed IHC workers were underpaid by 20-40 per cent, with some staff earning as little as $14.20 an hour, Mr Ryall said.

"The current wage freeze policy will do nothing to address the underpayment of these workers and will not provide a better service for people with intellectual disability," Mr Ryall said.

IHC chief executive Ralph Jones said a 1.2 per cent increase in government funding this year had not covered rising costs and the organisation could not afford a pay rise.

"We simply do not have the means to offer staff a wage increase," he said.

"This is a sector-wide problem and the impact of the recession is having a direct impact on workers."

Services would continue as usual on Friday with minimal disruptions, Mr Jones said.

The strike follows a benchmark Employment Court ruling in July which required IHC to pay staff who slept overnight at its care houses.

- NZPA