Canterbury Nurses Ratify Pay Offer

Canterbury Nurses Ratify Pay Offer

"2500 nurses and midwives employed by the Canterbury DHB have overwhelmingly ratified a new collective agreement," said New Zealand Nurses Organisation advocate Chris Wilson today.

"The two objectives of Canterbury NZNO members have been met," she said.

"Those objectives were to gain base rate parity with their Northern colleagues during the term of the agreement and to retain the option of participating in national bargaining after July 2004."

Chris Wilson acknowledged the constructive approach taken by the Canterbury DHB throughout the negotiation process.

NZNO members in DHBs have endorsed a strategy where negotiations this year are aimed at achieving the best rates across the country.

She said that next year NZNO members in DHBs will focus on phase two of the strategy which is to achieve a significant fair pay increase funded through additional money in Budget 2004.

"With phase one completed, Canterbury nurses and midwives have indicated their clear commitment to supporting phase two of strategy," Chris Wilson.

"Tomorrow they will join nurses all over New Zealand in launching our Fair pay campaign."

Chris Wilson said tomorrow was a triple celebration for Canterbury nurses.

"We will celebrate the success of our negotiations, the 110th anniversary of suffrage day and the launch of the national NZNO campaign to achieve fair pay,' she said.

Tomorrow Canterbury nurses will gather at the historic nurses' chapel in the Canterbury hospital grounds at noon and light 110 candles and release 110 helium filled balloons to celebrate. NZNO president Jane O'Malley will speak.

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