It's been 22 years since Inland Revenue employees undertook industrial action, but that all changed today when Tauranga workers walked off the job.

Rallies are being held in towns and cities across New Zealand, including Tauranga, while other groups of employees have decided to help their communities by doing volunteer work for the period of industrial action.

"This isn't a decision our members have taken lightly, but they feel they have no choice but to take industrial action," says PSA National Secretary Glenn Barclay.

"To put it into perspective, members at IR have not taken strike action in 22 years.

"We're asking for fair pay systems and a modest across-the-board pay increase, but both employers have refused - and MBIE even suggested staff work longer hours for the same pay.

"Public servants deserve better than this, and on Monday they will tell their employers that."

This is the first of two stop-work strikes if negotiations haven't worked. The second strike is planned for July 23.

There are over 4000 employees around the country are expected to participate in Monday's strike.