Staff’s worries made public in rally

Loud and clear . . . Glenwood staff and others rally on Wai-Iti Rd to make their concerns about health and safety and a bullying culture at the home public. PHOTOS: CLAIRE ALLISON

Glenwood Home staff took to the streets on Friday afternoon in a rally to seek support for their concerns about health and safety and a bullying culture at the aged care facility.

Gathering for two hours on Wai-iti Rd, current and former staff, residents and fellow union members from other aged care facilities waved placards to a chorus of supportive toots from passing motorists.

Union organisers from E Tū and the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) and staff said the home’s management and board were not responding to, or acknowledging, the concerns they were raising about health and safety, safe staffing levels and a toxic bullying culture in the workplace.

‘‘We’re calling for an independent investigation to address and respond to the issues that have been raised.

‘‘All the normal channels of escalation have failed.’’

NZNO organiser Beth Strickland said it took a lot for members to get to this point, but they were determined not to give up until the issues were addressed.

Those at the rally said the problems were not just impacting staff, but residents as well.

Send a message . . . Placards spell out the concerns Glenwood staff have.

‘‘I’m rallying here today to stand for my coworkers who can’t make it here, and my residents who deserve a safe place . . . to live.’’

A resident of five years said Glenwood had been a lovely place to live, but it no longer felt that way.

‘‘It’s really changed since I moved in. It’s not a nice place to be now.’’

One woman whose mother is a resident at the home said she felt very unsafe, and was asking what would happen when all the staff were gone.

Stories were shared of staff being pushed out by their hours being reduced, division among the team being encouraged by management and rosters not being filled.

‘‘It’s about safe staffing. There are not enough people to do the job, and that’s when things can go wrong. And we’re getting to that point very rapidly.’’