A commitment to increasing sick leave was a crucial factor for members in deciding to accept the offer, she believed.
The offer included a 3.5 per cent pay increase for registered and enrolled nurses, backdated to July 1, 2020; and the inclusion of miscarriage in the bereavement leave clause.
Couling said while bereavement leave for miscarriages had since became part of New Zealand legislation, it was good to acknowledge the team’s effort.
While the offer had not met NZNO’s “ideal position on sick leave”, it did provide for an increase to sick leave entitlements in future. This would align with a government bill to increase sick leave for all workers to 10 days, which comes into effect later this year. Any increase to sick leave would be done through the next negotiations, she said.
CHT is based in Auckland, but also has facilities in Waikato and Bay of Plenty. The MUCA covers about 250 members.