NZNO "Backgrounder - New Zealand Nurse and Midwife Pay" March 2003

In 2002, NZNO's annual conference voted to pursue public sector wage negotiations in line with a consistent national approach to pay.  This followed the consolidation of collective employment agreements covering registered and enrolled nurses, midwives and health care assistants (and in some cases senior nurses) into four multi-employer collective agreements (MECA) in the South Island, Lower North Island, Auckland and Northern Districts.  Canterbury has continued to bargain separately during 2003, but works co-operatively with the South Island MECA team, with bargaining underpinned by a "national" strategy.

The "Backgrounder" was researched and prepared by NZNO's industrial team, with Dr Liz Gordon's research forming the basis of this document.  Since the release of this research, NZNO has presented it in many different forums where it has been well received.

The NZNO national public sector remuneration strategy was developed as a sequel to this research. The Backgrounder demonstrates that the gender pay gap is real and that it contributes to the current comparitively low pay and conditions of nurses.  Our strategy is to close the national pay gap in the first instance and then collectively work towards addressing the key issues for our members: pay equity, reasonable workloads, recruitment and retention, and a good work / life balance.