NZDF civilian staff escalate strike action as pay talks stagnate

About 1000 civilian Defence Force staff are escalating ongoing strike action as pay talks remain at a stalemate.

The Public Service Association's assistant secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said the Defence Force had refused to offer any pay increase since negotiations began in July.

Since mid-September, union members had been working to rule and refusing overtime, and from Thursday they would also be taking combined breaks and stop working at heights or off-site.

"The zero pay offer has infuriated these civilian staff who do a critical role to ensure that the military are supported to operate effectively both here and overseas," Fitzsimons said.

"We are calling on the Defence Force to return to the bargaining table with a fair pay offer which reflects the increased cost of living and the importance of the work done by these civilian staff."

The Defence Force acknowledged the PSA's notice to increase industrial action, Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Tony Davies said.

"The NZDF is bargaining in good faith with PSA and has contingency plans in place to minimise any resultant impacts of the increased level of industrial action."

In September, 200 civilian staff opted to take voluntary redundancy. However, more job cuts are on the horizon as the Defence Force plans a restructure to cut costs.

An email sent to staff and seen by RNZ said the cuts were needed for the organisation to stay within budget and make savings in the years ahead.