There are 150 members covered by the current multi-employer collective agreement (MECA). NZNO organiser Danielle Davies said pay parity with the NZNO/district health board (DHB MECA) – average salary steps lag four per cent below each comparative DHB step – was the major claim. Other claims are for increases in the vehicle reimbursement rate, penal rates and sick leave days.
Davies was pleased with the discussions on the first two days and said the three delegates had done a “stellar job” at the bargaining table. The three delegates are Hammie Jackson a registered nurse (RN) working for Healthcare Rehab in Auckland, EN Maree Vincent and RN Margaret Franks who both work in district nursing services in Christchurch.