400+ Science Workers Will Strike Tomorrow - Govt’s Science Institute Attempting To Revert To Inequitable Performance PayMore than 400 scientists, technicians, and support workers at the New Zealand Institute of Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science)- will strike from 8am to 12pm tomorrow (Tuesday 4 August) to oppose their employer attempting to change its step-based pay system to entirely performance-based pay. They do not want to go back to a blunt instrument that doesn’t belong in public science or public services." "The last time PHF Science had performance-based pay, its workers were some of the lowest paid in the science sector," said Fitzsimons. No wonder so many skilled science workers are giving up on New Zealand altogether and moving overseas." More on the Government’s science sector reforms:Callaghan debacle: 176 science workers left hanging as Govt botches its own policy (12 June 2026)Underfunding Our Future: The Human Face of the Science Cuts (Save Science Coalition report, 16 April 2026)Govt.