17 Dec 2013

ACC accused of not negotiating fairly

8:43 pm on 17 December 2013

A man staging a hunger strike outside an Accident Compensation Corporation office in Wellington in a dispute about reparation says the corporation is refusing to negotiate fairly with him.

Mike Dixon-McIver.

Mike Dixon-McIver. Photo: RNZ

Mike Dixon-McIver has been peacefully protesting and refusing to eat for 48 days.

He said ACC attempted to prosecute him for fraud and he has been disputing the amount it should pay him in damages for more than six years.

Mr Dixon-McIver said on Tuesday that he has lost his reputation and income, and wants to be correctly compensated.

However, he said ACC is not listening to what he is asking for in negotiations, has only offered to pay him $90,000 and is using delaying tactics.

"It's broken down. They've made me the same offer that I rejected three weeks ago. They kept me on the street three extra weeks to regurgitate the same offer as though they're offering me something new. They seem to be able to say publicly, 'We are communicating and we're making offers.'"

ACC said it is extremely concerned about Mr Dixon-McIver's health and is continuing to communicate with him using a mediator.