Nurses vote for new collective agreement

Nurses, midwives and health care assistants working in the 20 district health boards (DHBs) around the country have voted to accept the DHBs’ proposed multi-employer collective agreement (MECA).

NZNO industrial adviser, Lesley Harry says, “The first offer the DHBs brought to the table in May was roundly rejected. This time our members voted yes.”

“The settlement includes a 2% pay rise backdated to 6 July 2015 and another 2% on the 4 July next year. The term of the agreement runs from yesterday (24 August 2015) until 31 July 2017.”

“We also made progress on a commitment to safe staffing, through the care capacity demand management programme. Safe staffing is a priority for NZNO. We have been working for many years towards safe working environments, including the right staffing levels, a strong and healthy workplace culture and enough resources to the do the job, and are pleased with the new clause we negotiated.”

“There is no doubt in my mind that we could not have achieved this offer if our 20,000 members working in DHBs hadn’t been so unified and vocal. NZNO members understand that when we stand together we can achieve a better working life.”

Collective action, participation, social justice, fairness, equity and workers’ safety, wellbeing, and solidarity are core to our organisation and contribute greatly to our success.” Harry says.

ENDS

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