Acting IST manager Glenda Alexander said 2021 would be a big year for the team. NZNO/district health board multi-employer collective (DHB MECA) agreement bargaining was still underway, the primary health care MECA ratification still had to be completed, a pay equity settlement for DHB members was yet to be finalised and pay equity for other sectors would have to be implemented. This work would be done in conjunction with all the usual bargaining, advocacy and individual case work.
Recruitment for the following positions is underway:
- an Auckland-based organiser (0.8 full-time equivalent);
- a Hamilton-based educator for the Northern region (full-time);
- a half-time industrial adviser with responsibility for private hospitals and hospices (can be based in any NZNO office); and
- a Palmerston North or Wellington-based full-time lead organiser for the Central team.
And Alexander, who has been the acting IST manager since last April, has accepted an extension in the role until the end of January 2022. An associate IST manager will also be appointed until the end of January next year. Alexander said the arrangement may change under a new chief executive, who may want to recruit a permanent IST manager and associate manager before next year.