Wastewater workers employed by Christchurch City Council have walked off the job today, beginning a five-day strike in a dispute over a key clause in their collective agreement.
The industrial action, running until Friday involves lab technicians and maintenance staff at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
The strike centres on a long-standing clause that ensures these workers receive the same terms and conditions as other Council employees — a provision the union claims the Council is now trying to remove.
E tū delegate Willie Nicholls said members had reached a breaking point. “We are going on strike because the Council wants to claw back a provision in the agreement,” he said. “We want the Council to honour the terms and conditions of the current agreement. The provision has been there for five years, and the members are willing to fight for it.”
E tū Team Leader Ross Heslop said the union had made repeated attempts to resolve the issue before resorting to industrial action.
“E tū has been committed to getting an agreement since last year,” he said. “In January we reaffirmed that commitment, and during recent mediation we even offered a two-year deal to give more time to work through the Council’s claim – but they rejected it. Instead, they tried to buy the clause out for a minimal amount, which was firmly rejected by the workers.”
Heslop said the action was about protecting fairness and consistency across the Council workforce. “Our members are standing up for their rights and the integrity of their collective agreement.”
The strike comes as the wastewater treatment plant continues to face operational challenges. According to the union, the facility is running at less than 50 percent capacity, placing significant strain on remaining staff and infrastructure.
In response, Christchurch City Council General Manager of City Infrastructure Brent Smith said the strike notice had been received for 13 members of the Maintenance and Water Sampling Teams.
“While the Council recognises the right of E tū members to strike, the Council is disappointed that the matter has escalated to notice of strike action, as we understood that mediation had been left open and that both parties were still working towards an amicable agreement,” Smith said.
He added that contingency plans are in place to maintain essential services throughout the strike period and expected any disruption to be minimal.
“The Council remains committed to achieving a fair and reasonable settlement with E tū members.”
