Wastewater workers employed by Christchurch City Council will walk off the job for five days next month, following a breakdown in negotiations over a key clause in their collective agreement.

The strike, which will run from 8 April to 12 April, involves lab technicians and maintenance workers at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

The dispute centres on a long-standing provision that ensures these staff receive the same terms and conditions as other Council workers — a clause the Council now wants to remove according to the union.

E tū delegate Willie Nicholls said members were fed up and ready to take a stand.

“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 efforts to reach a resolution.

“E tū has been committed to getting an agreement since last year,” Heslop 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.”

The strike action comes as the Christchurch wastewater treatment plant continues to operate under what the union describes as extremely difficult conditions. According to E tū, the plant is running at less than 50% capacity, putting additional pressure on staff.

Ross Heslop said the strike is about protecting fairness and consistency across the Council workforce.

“This is about ensuring equal treatment. Our members are standing up for their rights and the integrity of their collective agreement,” he said.

Christchurch City Council General Manager City Infrastructure Brent Smith said “on 24 March 2025, Christchurch City Council received a strike notice by E tū Incorporated, for 13 members employed by the Council in the Maintenance Team at the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Water Sampling Team.

“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.

As a result of the notification, the Council is now preparing contingency plans at the Wastewater Treatment Plant to continue core operations during the strike.  We are comfortable that essential services will be maintained and that any disruption will be minimal.

The Council remains committed to achieving a fair and reasonable settlement with E tū members.”