Nurses working for Total Care Health go on strike

This story has been corrected on 7 August to remove the reference to ACC nurses.

Some nurses are on strike on Friday, calling for better pay.

The nurses union, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, said dozens were involved in the strike which affected nurses working under the ACC contract for Total Care Health in the North Island.

The union said its nurses were on the road sometimes seven days a week, travelling far and wide to support and care for patients.

NZNO delegate and Total Care nurse Krystal Lewis, said the nurses delivered "highly skilled, compassionate care in people's homes, often in challenging and isolated environments".

"Despite the vital role we play in keeping people well and reducing pressure on hospitals, our value is not reflected by our employer. We remain the lowest-paid community nursing workforce, despite the complexity, responsibility, and flexibility our roles demand."

Pickets are taking place in Auckland, Hamilton and Havelock North.

The strike action will last until 4.30pm today.

In a statement ACC said it funded contract suppliers to deliver treatment and support on ACC's behalf. Contracted suppliers were independent businesses and ACC had no direct involvement in decisions about employee pay and conditions. They were a matter for Total Health Care and its employees.