Despite the offer not meeting our ideal position on sick leave, the bargaining team was prepared to take it out to the wider membership for a vote. During the last round of report-back meetings in December, members signed an online petition to support their sick-leave claim. The bargaining team feels this collective activity helped reshape the employer offer.
Importantly, the terms of settlement provide for an increase to sick-leave entitlements once sick leave increases nationally to 10 days and this is funded through the aged-related residential care (ARRC) agreements. While this is not a guarantee of 15 days sick leave (pro-rated), the team is confident this will lead to an increase in sick leave for all members covered by the multi-union collective agreement (MUCA) in 2021. Any increase to sick leave will be done through the next negotiations.
The team believes the overall offer is positive and covers off a number of the issues raised for discussions at negotiations. Of note is the wage increase, which is in excess of the 2020 ARRC funding of three per cent. The MUCA does not cover service workers, and health-care assistants, who are covered by the equal pay settlement for care and support workers.
CHT Healthcare Trust is based primarily in Auckland, with facilities also in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. The MUCA covers approximately 250 union members.
