Driver testing officials at VTNZ are walking off the job on Monday, in their battle for better pay.
Currently, workers are paid $22.50 an hour at most, but they say that doesn't reflect the dangers of the job.
"I have a passion for this job. It’s something I love to do, but it's risky,” says Harun Ali, who has 14 years'experience as a driver testing official.
"Drivers are often poorly prepared. There are a lot of accidents and a lot of us are being hurt. We face people who come out of jail, who are very threatening,.
"We've been chased around the cars, bullied and threatened. A lot of times we end up calling the cops."
Sunny Sehgal, an advocate for trade union E tū, says despite being qualified tradesmen, VTNZ mechanics are paid rates well below industry standard.
"Members are only asking for a fair increase to their wages to properly value their work and to cover the growing costs of housing, fuel and food," says Sehgal.
VTNZ was privatised in 1999 and has been run by German company Dekra since 2014.
The strike will last 24 hours, ending at 12:01 am on Tuesday.
Newshub.
