NZNO Campaigns
NZNO members are actively involved in several key campaigns, aimed at collectively building public and political support for our goals:
Campaign Update, August 2007
Pay Parity for Primary Health
NZNO has initiated MECA bargaining with Maori and Iwi Primary Health providers. At this time no date has been set to begin negotiations; however NZNO staff are working hard to bring this about as soon as possible. Once dates have been set, a formal launch of the Maori and Iwi Primary Health MECA Campaign will be arranged.
What You Can Do
Tell your workmates that NZNO is working on a collective agreement for our members in Maori and Iwi Primary health providers. See if there are any non-members who want to sign up to the union and be part of the bargaining.
Want to Know More?
Pay Parity in Primary Health campaign page
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Fair Play for Nurses and Midwives
(Previously Fair Pay, encompassing DHB MECA)
Good progress has been made in negotiations to the point that a proposed settlement is now close. The DHB Chief Executives’ ratification process is underway and following completion of this, the NZNO ratification process will begin. Full details of the proposal will be available in advance of ratification meetings to be held August 20-31.
What You Can Do
Attend ratification meetings and vote on you proposed collective agreement.
Want to Know More?
Fair Play campaign page
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Fair Share for Aged Care - Growing to Win
Following the budget announcement of extra funding targeted at improving wages for the lowest paid workers in the sector, the mechanism by which the DHBs expect this to happen has been revealed.
In another win for our campaign, the DHBs’ funding contracts with providers specify a minimum pay increase of $1.00/hr and a minimum wage rate of $12.55 for all caregivers and support staff working in residential Aged Care facilities. The contracts also require the providers to demonstrate a positive engagement in collective bargaining with the unions, being predominantly NZNO and SFWU.
Where NZNO and SFWU currently have collective agreements with employers, the immediate plan is to continue to negotiate single employer collectives and seek terms and conditions that exceed the new minimum standards. In those sites without a current collective, NZNO and SFWU are working on a mechanism to put collectives in place and make workers in those sites aware of the funding changes and the benefits of becoming union members. Providers are being encouraged to engage with the unions to progress this process.
What You Can Do
Identify any non-members in your workplace and talk to them about what our campaign has achieved. Can you get them to join NZNO?
Submission to Parliament
A group of NZNO and SFWU delegates will get the opportunity to present a submission to the Health Select Committee following the presentation of a 33,000 signature petition calling for better pay, safe staffing and education pathways in Aged Care. The presentation is likely to happen in September. Details will be published as they come to hand.
What You Can Do
Do you live in Wellington or the Lower North Island? Get a group together for a trip to Parliament to support your Delegates.
Want to Know More?
Fair Share for Aged Care campaign page
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Hospice MECA Negotiations
Bargaining to re-negotiate the Hospice MECA will begin this month with claims having been endorsed at the end of June. The negotiations will take the interests and issues based approach used in the DHB MECA negotiations.
What You Can Do
Circulate the MECA Update mailed out this week. Do you know anyone working in a role covered by the MECA who isn’t in NZNO? Discuss the benefits of joining!
Want to Know More?
Hospice MECA campaign page |
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Breast-Feeding World Record Attempt
As an affiliate of CTU, NZNO supports the right to paid breast-feeding breaks at work for mothers. This entitlement is one of the requirements of ILO Maternity Protection Convention 183, yet to be ratified by New Zealand. We support what Women’s Health Action is doing to get some coverage of this issue and encourage staff and members to promote a synchronized attempt at a new Guinness world record to count the number of breast feeding mothers at the same local time for a period of 24 hours.
New Zealand is the first country starting this attempt on Wednesday 8th August at 10 am.
Want to Know More?
Go to www.womens-health.org.nz to find out more!
Out of Sight, Out of Mind - Campaign to Ban Cigarette Displays
NZNO has joined The Cancer Society of New Zealand, together with other supporting organisations, calling for a total ban on the display of cigarettes and other tobacco products in petrol stations, shops and other retail outlets where cigarettes are sold. According to recent research, 66% of adult New Zealanders support this move. This includes 71% of non-smokers and 41% of smokers.
Want to Know More?
Go to http://www.bancigarettedisplays.org.nz for more info.
Previous Campaign: Quality Flexible Working Hours
Sue Kedgley’s bill to provide the legislated right to request flexible working arrangements has been returned to Parliament by the Industrial Relations and Transport Select Committee. The bill proposes giving parents caring for children under 5, for children with disabilities under 18 and for elderly dependents the right to request flexible working arrangements. In its present form, the bill looks likely to pass with only the National Party opposing it. However NZNO and the Coalition for Quality Flexible Work will continue to lobby in favour of extending the right to all employees.
Want to Know More?
Go to http://flexihoursnow.wordpress.com/ for the latest info.
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Previous Campaign: DHB MECA
NZNO members made over 200 submissions to the Department of Labour supporting Flexible Working Hours Legislation. The proposed legislation is currently being worked on with some amendments to bring it more in line with UK legislation.
Want to Know More?
Information on the DHB Fair Pay campaign (2003 – 2005) |
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