NZNO HNZCA
Campaign 2022

Kia ora,

The latest two-day round of bargaining for our Te Whatu Ora Health NZ collective agreement concluded on Tuesday 28 February. We are disappointed with what Te Whatu Ora brought to the table, but at least we now have a clearer understanding of their position on our claims around health and safety, safe staffing and funding for the settlement.

Health and safety

Frankly, Te Whatu Ora has been resistant to many of our claims to improve health and safety and to support health and safety representatives in their work; for example, our claim for health and safety representatives to be trained within a specified timeframe. This is important as training is required before a PIN can be issued.

Safe staffing

Although Te Whatu Ora has agreed in bargaining that the literature around ratios supported that they improved patient care, they are yet to accept our safe staffing safety net claim which utilises the positive aspects of CCDM whilst creating minimum safe staffing levels.

Settlement funding

We now have a clearer understanding of the total funds Te Whatu Ora has available for this settlement, including for pay and other conditions.

Disappointingly, the total funding falls considerably short of our cost-of-living claim. Further, there doesn’t seem to be additional funding to address the problems around the senior nurse rates arising from the Agreement in Principle.

Lastly, we have still not received a firm pay offer.

Seeking member feedback

We will shortly be running online member focus groups and meetings for delegates to discuss the bargaining and gather member feedback. We will let you know dates and provide meeting links soon.

The next round of negotiations will occur later this month and we will report on progress again at the conclusion of that bargaining.

Ngā mihi,

Paul Goulter, Chief Executive
NZNO Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa