Media release                                                        9 August 2018

 

 

Chief Executive releases detail of results

 

 

Chief Executive Memo Musa says, that in consultation with key NZNO staff, and following the conclusion of bargaining, NZNO has made the decision to release the overall details of the DHB MECA ratification vote. As announced this Tuesday the ratification of the final offer was accepted by a significant majority of NZNO members covered by the NZNO/DHB Nursing and Midwifery MECA.

 

He says due to the high profile nature of this negotiation process and the large amount of social media comment suggesting NZNO has misrepresented the facts  the vote result, he now declares:

 

“The percentage of votes in favour of the fifth DHB MECA offer as returned by Electionz.com is 64.1 percent to accept the offer and 35.9 percent to reject the offer.

 

“The previous offer the result was 49.4% to accept the offer and 50.6% to reject the offer.”

 

“As said last time the vote result was very close and this time there was a significant majority accepting the offer.

 

“We are now focused on implementation. The organisation is strong and growing and I am proud of the hard work of my colleagues, the delegates and members have undertaken to achieve a MECA which lays down the foundations for a safer and rewarding career in nursing.,” Memo Musa said.

 

 

ENDS.

 

Media enquiries to: Media adviser Karen Coltman 027 431 2617.

Media release                                                       7 August 2018   

 

Majority vote to ratify DHB MECA offer

The DHB NZNO Multi-Employer Collective Agreement for Nurses, Midwives and healthcare assistants is settled, bringing to an end nearly a year of negotiations. The fifth offer to the 30,000 NZNO DHB members has been ratified by online ballot.

Industrial Services Manager Cee Payne reports that voter turnout was high with a significant majority in favour.

 “The campaign for safe staffing and better pay that continued through nationwide Rallies for Health, helped to bring public attention to the unacceptable workloads and working conditions of the public health sector nursing workforce and this helped to secure an acceptable MECA.”

NZNO confirms it will with urgency work with the DHBs on implementation.

“Immediate attention to improving safe staffing with complete implementation of CCDM by 2021 will address longstanding issues of work load and working conditions which, have negatively affected the quality of care nurses provide and the morale of nursing teams.

“The ability to realise pay equity for public sector nurses and midwifes by December 2019 will address the historic undervaluing of work in a profession where the majority of employees are women, laying down a foundation for a much safer and valued career in nursing,” Cee Payne said.

NZNO president Grant Brookes said:

“We are very proud that the collective voice of NZNO members, was heard throughout the country and drove up investment in the public health system and workforce.”

NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku said:

“We have much more work to do from here on to secure decent pay, safe staffing and improved working conditions for nurses employed by Māori & Iwi providers, those in primary health care, aged care and private hospitals because they also deserve to be highly valued for their contributions to health care.”

In addition, Memo Musa, Chief Executive says that securing top-level additional Government assurance through the Safe Staffing Accord, over and above the requirements in the DHB NZNO MECA shows the issues articulated by members have been heard.

“I thank our negotiating team that worked relentlessly, who were committed to getting an offer acceptable to members. We also thank our members, CTU unions affiliate members and the public who supported NZNO during the negotiations,” he said

 

 

Ends.

 

 

 

 

Media enquiries to NZNO media adviser: Karen Coltman 027 431 2617.

 

 

Media Release                                                      27 July 2018

 

 

Safe Staffing Accord – to give top-level assurance

 

Welcoming the ‘Safe Staffing and Care Capacity Demand Management: Effective Implementation Accord’ Chief Executive Memo Musa says he is confident it will, finally, at the top level of Government, address the unsafe staffing levels of the nursing and midwifery workforce which, have been experienced for over a decade in the public sector.

 

Parties to the Accord are New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO), District Health Boards (DHBs) and the Director-General of Health.

 

For many years the top concern of the New Zealand nursing and midwifery workforce has remained the understaffing and, the resulting unsafe healthcare environment for staff and patients, as previously reported in the NZNO Employment Survey 2017.

 

“This accord takes hold of this distressing issue at the very top level and we commend the Government for this move,” Memo Musa said.

 

“The voices of nurses’ and midwives have been heard and their campaigns garnered commitment for urgent change. This Accord is supplementary to the current DHB MECA fifth offer presented to NZNO members.

 

“Nurses have also said that a reason they leave the profession is because their high standards have been compromised because of unsafe staffing and also because they are dissatisfied by not being able to take time to advance their own skills or to train others. The accord addresses this issue by encouraging many back into the workforce with the commitment to safe staffing.

 

“NZNO in particular welcomes the pragmatic approach to attracting and retaining more nurses and midwives and the commitment to exploring options for the provision of employment of all New Zealand nursing and midwifery graduates,” Memo Musa said.

Detail of Accord and Minister of Health media release is here:

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/minister-brokers-accord-safe-nurse-staffing

 

Memo Musa will conduct media interview on Monday morning upon signing the Accord at parliament.

 

Ends.

 

 

Media Release                                                          26 July 2018

 

Life changing legislation celebrated

 

NZNO today celebrates the passing of the Domestic Violence Victims’ Protection Bill last night as it brings greater protection to victims of domestic violence and legislates for support in the workplace.

 

The detrimental effects of domestic violence is of great concern to NZNO which, is a large union and professional organisation with over 50,000 members. The majority of its members are women of which some will be victims of domestic violence.

 

NZNO spokesperson on violence against women Carol Beaumont says employers can help victims to be safe, to help support changes in peoples’ lives and indeed for some, this help may save lives.

 

“As we all know the extent of domestic violence and its terrible effect is huge in our society,” she said. 

 

“As a health profession organisation and union with large numbers of female members who deal with domestic violence issues, we are pleased that from April 2019  access to up to 10 days special leave will be available; more flexible working arrangements and; protection against adverse treatment in employment.

 

“This legislation will help many who are struggling to leave violent relationships, establish new lives and maintain their economic independence.  

 

“We acknowledge MP Jan Logie for promoting this Bill and the Green, Labour and NZ First parties for supporting this legislation throughout,” Ms Beaumont said. 

 

 

Media enquiries to: NZNO media adviser, Karen Coltman 027 431 2617.

 

 

Media Statement       24 July 2018

NZNO & DHB Negotiations

The New Zealand Nurses’ Organisation and District Health Boards met in Wellington today as part of the DHB/NZNO MECA negotiations.

 

Both NZNO and DHB are focused on reaching a settlement and will be in a position to provide further detail late afternoon tomorrow. In the meantime both parties will make no further comment.

 

ENDS.

 

 

 

Media Statement                                        18 July 2018

                                        

 

NZNO and DHB MECA negotiations update

 

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation and District Health Boards met in Wellington yesterday to explore options to settle the current employment negotiations for the DHB Multi-Employer Collective Agreement for Midwives and Nurses.

 

The NZNO and DHBs are focused on reaching a settlement through bargaining. 

 

The parties will meet for further negotiations next Tuesday 24 July. As bargaining continues the parties will be making no further comment in the meantime.

 

 

 

 

 

ENDS.

 

NZNO Communications: Karen Coltman 027 431 2617.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Media Release                                                                        10 July 2018

                                                                                                                                               

 

 

Nursing and Midwifery DHB MECA rejected

The democratic, online voting process run by Electionz.com has resulted in the majority of members voting to reject the latest proposed DHB Nursing and Midwifery Multi-Employer Collective Agreement offer.

Voter turnout was very high and the result was closer than last time.

Industrial Services Manager Cee Payne confirms that industrial action will go ahead this Thursday 12 July with a nationwide 24 hour strike starting at 0700 and finishing 0700 Friday 13 July. There are potentially over 30,000 NZNO members involved. Many staff covered by the DHB MECA have agreed to provide life preserving services over the duration of the strike.

“Life preserving services and contingency plans are coming to completion with the twenty district health boards. We are confident that these will be in place as patient safety and public safety is paramount,” Cee Payne said.

 

DHBs have requested a reconvening of facilitation. NZNO had an obligation to respond without knowing the outcome of the ballot.

“In response we have stated that the unavailability of additional funding to support an improved offer has led NZNO to the conclusion that facilitation is not the appropriate forum to address the current difficulties in the DHB /NZNO MECA at this time.

“The issues faced and reported by our members have arisen from a decade of severe underfunding of our public hospitals which have failed to keep pace with growing community need, the ageing population and workforce, and increased costs,” Cee Payne said.

 

ENDs.

Media enquiries to: NZNO Media adviser Karen Coltman 0274312617.

 

 

Media release                                                                    5 July 2018

 

 

NZNO welcomes Ngā Poutama Oranga Hinengaro

 

 

NZNO is encouraging its members to participate in the Health Quality and Safety Commission’s mental health workforce safety survey – Nga Poutama Oranga Hinengaro that will be available at the end of next month.

 

Mental health nurses make up nearly half the mental health and addiction sector workforce. And the complexity of mental health and addictions issues, and the over representation of Māori in need of mental health services are factors that mean the sector requires a well-supported nursing workforce in order to deliver high quality mental health care.
 

Chair of the NZNO mental health section Helen Garrick, says that the combination of a decade of underfunding, growing demand and increasing complexity of need means the workforce is at ‘breaking point’ and these factors are combining to staff feeling increasingly unsafe.

 

“Our recent survey of members found main concerns were high caseloads, low staffing levels, inadequate community and inpatient services and insufficient inpatient beds,” Ms Garrick said.

 

“We also call for the working environment and overall environment for inpatients to be better suited to modern-day needs and believe this will make the environment safer for all.

 

“The workplace nurses are coming into is increasingly unsafe. Over 71% of survey respondents report feeling unsafe at work this survey will be a good way to examine this further,” she said.

 

Staff working for a district health board, non-government organisation and primary care MHA services across the country will be invited to complete the survey during August 2018 and it can be done anonymously.

 

ENDS.

 

Media enquiries to: NZNO communications, Karen Coltman 0274312617.

 

Media Release                                  2 July 2018

NZNO recommends and releases DHB MECA offer

Releasing the revised DHB Multi Employer Collective Agreement for Nurses, Midwives and Healthcare Assistants, Industrial Services Manager Cee Payne said today that the offer achieves a number of the priorities identified through members’ feedback on the previous offer: Pay, pay equity and safe staffing measures.

“A primary reason we recommend the offer is because it addresses the historical undervaluing of nurses and midwives. We are determined to see nursing in New Zealand become, once again, a rewarding and attractive profession that people wish to join and grow a career in,” Cee Payne said.

“The revised offer includes additional financial recognition for all occupational groups covered by the DHB MECA which is distributed fairly. These additions are above general wage increases.

“We are pleased to have achieved the commitment to pay equity implementation in the proposed DHB MECA term, with pay equity negotiations expected to result in further pay increases before its expiry.

 “A key aspect of this offer is the $38 million additional funding to provide immediate relief for acute staffing shortages. Each DHB will receive funding to employ additional staff in hospitals and in the community to relieve staff shortages.

“Strengthened wording of and resourcing for the Care Capacity Demand Management programme implementation will mean DHBs can engage staff dedicated to the implementation of the safe staffing programme,” Cee Payne said.

Online voting for DHB members opens on Tuesday 3 July (tomorrow) and will close at 5pm Monday 9 July.

No further comment or media interviews will be given until after the outcome of the member online voting on the revised offer is announced.

https://www.nzno.org.nz/Portals/0/Files/Documents/Groups/Health%20Sectors/2018-07-02%20DHB%20MECA%20full%20bulletin%20June%20offer%20FINAL.pdf

 

Media enquiries to: NZNO media adviser, Karen Coltman 027 431 2617.

 

 

Media Release                                                                29 June 2018

 

NZNO announces outcome of Facilitation

 

Following yesterday and today’s Facilitation as per the Employment Relations Act, the NZNO Negotiation Team has achieved a revised DHB MECA offer which, it is prepared to recommend to NZNO DHB members.

 

Industrial Services Manager Cee Payne explains that the DHBs have proposed an improved offer:

 

“The NZNO Negotiation Team will be recommending the revised offer to our members.

 We will therefore take the revised offer to members via and online ballot next week.

 

“Online voting will run from Tuesday 3 July to Monday 9 July.

“Over the weekend, details of the revised offer, including the terms of settlement will be developed and checked for accuracy by the NZNO Negotiation Team.

“We expect to be able to release the full details of this revised offer to members on Monday 2 July at approximately 2 pm.

“To give members time to assess the revised offer and to vote online, NZNO has formally notified DHBs that strike action for Thursday 5 July has been withdrawn, says Cee Payne.

Due to our obligations to be compliant with the Code of Good Faith for the public health sector, life preserving services and contingency planning will need to continue in preparation for the strike action planned for Thursday 12 July, for which the strike notice remains in force at this stage.

 

No further comment or media interviews will be given until the full offer is available to members on Monday 2 July 2018.

 

ENDS.

 

NZNO communications: Karen Coltman 027 431 2617.