“It was very heartening that the highest paid, such as anaesthetists and surgeons, were so angry about the lowest-paid workers facing such a price hike,” NZNO member Erin Kennedy said. “They were very vocal!”
An array of staff and unions lodged a petition signed by nearly 1000 people with the board in December, after it proposed increasing staff car-parking fees from $4.50 to $7.50 per day, and higher monthly fees.
Kennedy, a former NZNO delegate, said staff were already struggling and did not need more financial pressure. She had since been told that any decision would be made by the board, rather than the “management-loaded” parking committee, which was hopeful.
Capital & Coast District Health Board chief financial officer Rosalie Percival said the DHB planned to engage with staff and unions further on this issue. “Overall, we anticipate being able to have a proposed solution this year.”