Health Professionals New Zealand

In 1994 NZNO was approached by the New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation Technologists to undertake the provision of Industrial Services for Medical Radiation Technologists (MRT’s).  This required a rule change and a major mindset change for the newly amalgamated NZNO (circa 1993) from the original two unions NZNA / NZNU to incorporate non nursing members into the organisation.

In the first instance NZNO undertook to provide “a bargaining agency” role.  That is, NZNO staff would negotiate and enforce collective employment contracts for MRT’s employed by the then Crown Health Enterprises.

In 1996 NZNO determined that it would better serve the needs of these members if MRT’s were to become full members of NZNO and the subsidiary organisation of Health Professionals New Zealand (HPNZ) was established.  In a reciprocal agreement with NZIMRT, NZNO agreed to encourage MRT members to belong to the Institute which would continue to act as the professional body for these people.

Since this time under the umbrella of HPNZ, NZNO has continued to add to our “non nurse” membership.  We have recruited members across the spectrum of allied health occupations and continue to add more groups to this part of the organisation.  NZNO still encourages these health professionals to belong to their own professional organisation, where they exist to address their professional issues.  There is a reduced subscription for HPNZ members.

HPNZ now includes a range of health professionals including, Dietitians, Radiation Therapists, Sterile Supply Technicians, Lab Technicians, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Assistants, Pharmacists and Assistants, Social Workers, Anaesthetic Technicians, Clerical Staff, IT Technicians, Scientific Officers, Orderlies, Dark Room Technicians, Administrative Staff, Sonographers, Cleaners, Cooks, Gardeners and the list continues to grow.

NZNO Organisers now negotiate Collective Agreements for all these groups either as stand alone Agreements or as part of composite agreements including in some instances as part of a Multi Union Collective Agreement (MUCA).

At present the NZNO Industrial Services Team have developed a national bargaining strategy for MRT’s for the 2003 – 2004 round which may see a National MECA or at least a two stage approach towards that goal.

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