"We were very disappointed Observatory chose to take this unnecessary step two days after the strike notice was sent," a statement from the union said.
"This move came despite NZNO [New Zealand Nurses Organisation] offering to provide life-preserving staff to ensure safety of residents during the strike period the previous evening."
Union members were on strike over their employer’s refusal to include pay scales in the collective agreement, stating they would only display a single minimum rate for each professional group and continue paying members as per their individual contracts.
The NZNO said members were suspended at 7am on the day of the strike.
One staff member said the strike was about fairness, transparency and health and safety — for both staff and residents.
"In addition, it is for the purpose of annual salary progression and review, penal rates for staff on nights and weekends duties, addressing the imbalance of staff-to-resident ratios and professional development acknowledgement for registered nurses."
Another union representative at the facility pointed to what they felt were staffing safety issues.
"Night shift only has two nurses and two caregivers to look after an 81 mix of rest-home, hospital care and dementia residents. Night caregivers often go home exhausted. I don’t think that [is a] good staff-resident ratio.
"In reality, a lot of us caregivers have not had a pay increase for almost three years."
They added Observatory Village "gave two pay increases to non-union members in June 2024, before our first bargaining day and in June 2025 before our mediation day ... We want fairness for all staff members and non-members."
A statement from the Observatory Village Care Ltd board said it was "very disappointed" some employees had chosen to strike.
The board’s statement said the company had been meeting union and staff delegates for several months because staff involved wanted to introduce a new collective agreement.
"Despite offers from the company, settlement was not achieved and mediation occurred on July 22."
The company offered pay rises of 7.5% to caregivers and 3.5% to registered and enrolled nurses.
"During the past two years Observatory Village caregivers wages have increased 8.1%. During the past three years Observatory Village registered and enrolled nurses’ wages have increased 19.75%."
However, union members say only "non-union members" have had an 8% pay rise.
