Join us today!
Do you work in care and support? Join us in E tū, to use our collective voice to win the change we need across the care industry. E tū represents workers in:
- residential aged care
- home support
- disability support
- mental health and addictions
(Click for Terms of Membership & Union Constitution)
E tū has led the charge for change in the care and support sector for decades. Our historic Equal Pay Settlement, led by E tū member Kristine Bartlett, won big pay rises for most care and support workers in 2017. But the rates have fallen behind again, and we’re fighting hard for a new pay equity settlement – and we need your voice in the mix.
It’s not just about hourly pay rates, all sorts of issues need fixing. We need safer staffing levels, allowances that properly recognise needs, better opportunities for training and upskilling, and real respect at work.
E tū also campaigns for bigger, systemic change for the care sector. We know that the way care and support services are funded by the government, but are delivered by private providers, creates many problems. We have a vision for transforming the care sector so it works better for everyone – workers, clients, and the wider community alike.
Of course, joining E tū also means you get all the benefits union members receive. Advice and support when you need it, representation if you ever get into trouble, discounts and deals on certain services, and much more.
Good pay and conditions don’t just fall from the sky – they are won by union members. Join us today, we’ll be even stronger with you on board.
What’s the story?
The National-led Government has launched a full-scale attack on women workers in care and support.
First, they gutted the funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce – the specialists who make the process fair, consistent, and evidence-based.
Now they’re going even further: halting all current claims, changing the rules, and making it almost impossible to win pay equity in future.
This isn’t about “tidying up the process” – it’s about keeping wages low in women-dominated industries like care and support. It’s about saying workers don’t deserve to be paid fairly for this essential work.
Let’s be clear: this is a direct attack on you.
The Minister, Brooke van Velden, doesn’t seem to understand the difference between equal pay and pay equity. Equal pay means a woman and a man doing the same job get the same pay. That’s been the law since 1972.
Pay equity means valuing different jobs with similar skills, effort, and responsibility – like comparing a caregiver to a corrections officer. That’s what we won through the Kristine Bartlett case. That’s what they’re trying to destroy.
E tū members are furious
Marianne Bishop, aged care worker:
“We’ve been fighting for 13 years. To have the rug pulled out now is unbelievable. This removes our road to fairness.”
Tamara Baddeley, home support worker and E tū Industry Convenor:
“This makes me feel f***ing angry. Why should we keep this sector going on poverty wages? This Government is a nest of vipers – they speak with a forked tongue.”
We are still going ahead with our care and support pay equity claim – but the Government is trying to block it before it even gets completed.
The wider care sector is already in crisis. Providers are underfunded, staffing levels are dangerously low, and vulnerable people aren’t getting the care they need. Workers are burning out or leaving the sector entirely.
What’s next?
First up, make sure everyone you work with knows what the National-led Government is doing to us. Share this update.
If you can, attend one of the rallies or hui advertised at the top of this page.
But that won’t be enough on its own.
Your E tū Community Support Industry Council is meeting urgently to plan how we push back. We’re going to take action they can’t ignore.
We will not sit quietly while this Government tries to send women back to the 1970s.
Watch this space – and get ready to fight.
If you want to get further involved, email: payequity@etu.nz