Nursing reports

Media Release           STRICT EMBARGO 1.05pm                                     18 June 2018

 

NZNO seeking urgent mediation

 

The latest revised DHB MECA offer has been strongly rejected by NZNO members.  However, Industrial Services Manager Cee Payne says that as nursing and midwifery is an essential service, mediation or facilitation will begin with urgency. NZNO remains committed to working with DHBs to find a resolution to this impasse and avoid strike action.

“Alongside the setting up of urgent mediation or facilitation, NZNO is surveying members to seek clarity about the specific issues that members require to be addressed to settle the DHB MECA,” Cee Payne said.

 “The immediate staffing crisis as a result of the past decade of underfunding of DHBs has taken a heavy toll on nurses and their ability to provide safe patient care.

“Nurses and midwives do not trust that their work environment or patient care will improve in the short term. While the revised offer included new funding to address short staffing, concern remains that this may not be enough to make a real difference.

“Whilst the revised offer was substantially improved, compared to the previous one on pay for some members, members have rejected this. There may be concern about the variability of the offered pay increases.   

“The revised DHB MECA offer on pay equity fails to specify how and when outcomes will be implemented. This has created uncertainty for members,” she said.

NZNO Chief Executive Memo Musa says that strike action is a last resort but should it go ahead he explains that:

“Patient safety is paramount. We have had several meetings with DHB representatives to begin preparation to ensure patient safety.

“NZNO will work with DHBs to agree provision of life preserving services and we will be absolutely comply with the Code of Good Faith for the public health sector,” he said.

ENDS.

 

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

 

Media Release                                                                13 June 2018

 

Domestic Violence Victims’ Protection Bill must be supported

 

NZNO urges all members of parliament to support the Domestic Violence Victims’ Protection Bill, which is expected to be read for a second time tonight.

In recent years the nurses’ organisation has advocated strongly for legislation, policy and industrial responses including provisions in collective agreements that provide employment protection and support for victims of domestic violence who face the risk of domestic violence.

NZNO lead on domestic violence Carol Beaumont explains that the Bill has been thoroughly scrutinised by the Justice Select Committee and changes are proposed.

“As one of the organisations that submitted in favour of the Bill we welcome the retention of provisions for paid leave, flexible working arrangements and protection against adverse treatment. It is disappointing that the National Party in the report from the Select Committee says they do not support such provisions,” Carol Beaumont said.

The effects of suffering domestic violence is of great concern to NZNO which, is a large union and professional organisation with 48,000 members. The majority of its members are women of which some will be victims of domestic violence given the extent of this problem in our society and many suffer violence at work too.

NZNO National Committee Women’s Health College member Ann Simmons says NZNO’s submission on the Bill contrasted the experience of two nurses who experienced domestic violence.

“We contrasted one person who had support at work and one who did not. As one of those nurses I know the impact of domestic violence professionally and personally was starkly different because the support was vital to getting through,” says Ann Simmons

 “Nurses deal with domestic violence in a number of ways in their profession by screening, support, treatment and prevention as part of their work. Nurses are often the first health professional victims of domestic violence engage with.  As a nurse working specifically in health I know this from my own working life.

“For both of these reasons we are strongly in favour of workplace support provisions and have raised them with employers in our collective bargaining.”

“We urge all parties to support this Bill as unanimous support would send a very strong message to the community,” Ann Simmons said.

Ends.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                   

 

Media Statement                                         8 June 2018

 

NZNO condemns violence on first responders

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) supports the stand taken by international organisations and governments condemning attacks on health personnel in Palestine.

On Friday 1 June 21 year old nurse Razan al-Najar was fatally shot while carrying out her duties as a volunteer in the Palestinian Medic Relief Society. About 245 health care workers and 40 ambulances have been attacked in the region between March 30 and May 27, according to recent reports.

https://www.ochaopt.org/content/un-agencies-deeply-concerned-over-killing-health-volunteer-gaza

We join the international community in calling for international humanitarian laws to be upheld and for attacks on medical personnel to immediately cease. We are calling for highest level international organisations to condemn these acts of violence and targeted attacks on first responders. Nurses, doctors and other health care workers must be protected and have the right to treat people safely even in areas of conflict.

We are concerned also that New Zealanders are part of first responder health care teams in conflict areas around the world and must be able to do their duty to care for those needing urgent health interventions and humanitarian aid without risk of harm or death.

 

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation is a member of the International Council of Nurses which is a member of the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition. And has previously spoken out against violence and attacks on health professionals in Syria and other nations.

 

 

Media enquiries to: Media Adviser, Karen Coltman, 027 431 2617.

 

Media release                                                            31 May 2018

NZNO takes the revised DHB offer to its members


NZNO’s DHB MECA negotiating team is today providing its assessment of the revised district health board multi-employer collective agreement (DHB MECA) offer to its 29,500 DHB members.

Industrial Services Manager Cee Payne explains that NZNO has been in negotiations over the last twelve months and continues to comply with its bargaining policy and process by presenting a substantially improved DHB offer to its DHB members.

“The Independent Panel process enabled NZNO to advance the stories of nurses working in an underfunded public health system, which has created a serious nursing and midwifery staffing crisis which has placed a vital and valuable workforce under unacceptable pressure,” she said.

“The revised DHB offer was forged out of the solidarity of NZNO members’ determination to achieve safe staffing levels and in turn, to see patient care improved in all of New Zealand’s public hospitals.

“The NZNO DHB MECA negotiating team did its utmost to ensure member voices were heard and equally nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants have been hugely visible - by holding rallies around the country with a clear message that #HealthNeedsNursing.

”From Tuesday 5 June through to Friday 15 June members will vote on whether to accept the offer or not and now need the space and time to carefully consider it,” Cee Payne said.

The details of the offer and NZNO DHB MECA negotiations team bulletin can be read at: www.nzno.org.nz and then clicking on the DHB MECA image in the centre.

ENDS.
 

 

 

Media Release                                                  29 May 2018


DHB offer release unhelpful

A large number of NZNO District Health Board (DHB) members are distressed and disappointed that the DHB revised multi-employer collective agreement offer was released to the public before it was presented formally to them as expected.

Cee Payne, Industrial Services Manager reports that many nurses have voiced their concern via social media and have contacted NZNO about this approach to the third offer. She says she is disappointed at this DHB approach to the offer.

“At present we are experiencing the fallout of the way the information about the revised offer was released. This may jeopardise NZNO’s DHB negotiating team’s ability to discuss the revised offer with DHB members in a constructive manner,” she said.

“We are alarmed that some of the numbers released yesterday, and in particular the $93,000 salary, are hypothetical and ‘best case’ scenarios, which can only occur many, many months down into the term of the agreement.

“The hypothetical $93,000 came from an example of a nurse working full time, with some overtime and significant weekend and night work. The reality is that the majority of nurses in this bracket are not full time and not working rostered shifts on top of this.

“We do not think it was helpful or fair to present to the public, via the media, pay scale examples that have the potential to obscure the actual pay increases for our members. Most of our members report these numbers are entirely misleading compared to their rostered hours.

“We would also observe the PDRP “expert” additional allowance factored into the hypothetical situation is not received by many of the members.

NZNO is navigating its way through this revised offer, with evidence and sound evaluation. We will be supporting our members to understand the revised offer on this basis. NZNO will present their assessment and the offer to members on Thursday,” Cee Payne said.

ENDS.

Media enquiries: Karen Coltman 027 431 2617.


 

 

Media Release                                     28 May 2018

NZNO team reviewing DHB offer now

Industrial Services Manage Cee Payne has today announced that the NZNO DHB MECA negotiating team received a revised offer from district health boards (DHBs) this afternoon.

“The DHBs have unexpectedly publicised their revised offer this afternoon at 3:15 pm today. NZNO will be making no comment until members receive our analysis of the offer,” Cee Payne said.

“The next steps for NZNO are to discuss the offer with the full NZNO negotiation team and the NZNO DHB National Delegate Committee tomorrow.

“A full NZNO analysis will be out to members on Thursday this week and it is most likely that we will hold a media conference at that time once the members have received our analysis.

“At this stage we are not in a position to comment on the offer as this is not per our negotiation process,” Cee Payne reconfirmed.


 

 

Media release 27 May 2018

Strict Embargo: 0715hrs MONDAY 28 May

Members vote to strike but hope for improved DHB Offer

NZNO nurses, midwives and health care assistants employed by district health boards (DHBs) have voted in favour of a total withdrawal of labour starting at 0700 hours on Thursday 5 July 2018 and ending at 0700 hours on Friday 6 July 2018 and the same action again at 0700 hours on Thursday 12 July 2018 and ending at 0700 hours on Friday 13 July 2018.

The vote for industrial action has followed two employer offers being rejected by NZNO members. The online and postal ballot for industrial action, resulted in a high voter turnout and a vote in favour of strike action as notified to members by Chief Executive, Memo Musa this morning.

The Independent Panel set up by the government to assist the parties to resolve the impasse has presented a number of recommendations relating to safe staffing and pay. NZNO is pleased with a number of the recommendations but those that relate to pay increases fall short of NZNO’s submissions. (NZNO media release link follows.)

https://www.nzno.org.nz/about_us/media_releases/articletype/articleview/articleid/2753/dhb-meca-independent-panel-recommedations

Industrial Services Manager Cee Payne explains that on Monday 28 May NZNO will receive a revised offer to settle the DHB Multi Employer Collective Agreement from the DHB employers. This offer is likely to be voted on by members between the 5th and 15th June.

“The DHB offer is unknown at this time but it is not required to be consistent with the Panel recommendations. If members vote to reject any improved DHB offer the members’ next course of action would be industrial action,” she said.

“Members decision on the DHB offer will determine whether NZNO will then provide at least 14 days’ notice of strike action to the DHBs.”

NZNO chief executive Memo Musa reports that NZNO has had a first meeting with DHB representatives to begin preparation for the industrial action in the event members do not ratify the revised DHB offer:

“Full commitment to providing agreed life preserving services will be negotiated. Patient safety is paramount. We will be compliant with the Code of Good Faith for the public health sector.

“This is a very difficult decision for members and is not taken lightly,” Memo Musa said.

ENDS.

Media release 24 May 2018



NZNO members advised of Panel recommendations

The Independent Panel established to resolve the impasse in the NZNO/DHB Nursing and Midwifery Multi-Employer Collective Agreement (DHB MECA) negotiations released its final report and recommendations on Tuesday 22 May. Our members have today received the Panel’s report along with the NZNO’s written submissions. This includes a summary of NZNO’s response against each of the Panel’s recommendations.
Industrial Services Manager Cee Payne says:

“These recommendations, and our expressed response in our submissions, should provide DHBs with an opportunity to provide an updated offer,” she said.

“NZNO members covered by the DHB MECA will want to see a significantly improved offer from the previously rejected one. It has to clearly demonstrate that it has gone a long way to address member concerns about the value they provide towards the care for the population of New Zealand, improving health outcomes and our people’s well-being.

“Ultimately, following the Independent Panel Process, NZNO DHB MECA members expect an updated DHB offer to resolve the impasse; one which addresses the core issues of safe staffing, pay and working conditions,” Cee Payne said.

Cee Payne explains that the Panel’s recommendations fall short in addressing the matters outlined in NZNOs submissions with regard to remuneration. In particular:

1. Prioritising a one off lump sum for the first year rather than investing this directly into a salary scale.
2. Delaying an increase to wage rates /base salary by 10 months.
3. Relativities with benchmark occupations (MRTs and Secondary Teachers) have not been addressed.
4. The recommended term of the DHB MECA being proposed is longer than the term DHBs have previously agreed to.

“NZNO members will be pleased to see a significant number of recommendations that reflect their concerns about the immediate staffing crisis. Of particular note is the recommendation for an additional 2% funding to ensure DHBs have the nursing and midwifery workforce capacity to deliver the required patient services. This is a significant recommendation and not seen previously for nursing and midwifery.”

On Monday 28 May NZNO will receive the updated offer from the DHB employers.

“The updated offer is unknown at this time, however DHBs are aware of what will be required to resolve this impasse. The recommendations from the Panel indicate this will require additional funding from the Ministry of Health.” Cee Payne said.

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

 

 

 

Media Release                                                                 17 May 2018

 

 

No windfall but boost and direction welcome

 

Chief Executive Memo Musa says today’s government Budget shows commitment to a decent increase in health spending for the first time in a long time but there is still a way to go to make up for 10 years’ of neglect. He says there is an increase in health spending of over $800 million and this is what was needed to keep going and a little more.

 

“The immediate operational spend is not greatly increased but this budget shows a roadmap to rebuilding the health service from the foundations up, literally,” Memo Musa said.

 

“The four year commitment to increase health spending significantly is most welcome and this was vital to be started now in order to retain the confidence of the nursing, midwife and health care assistant workforce.  

 

“To see a separate fund of $100 million now for relief of the DHB deficit along with the $750 million for long term infrastructure needs, we hope will give the DHB management some room to spend on increasing the nursing workforce.

 

“We welcome the focus on primary health care funding and increase in spending through the expansion of the nurses in schools programme, now accessible to another 240,000 students at decile 4 schools, is excellent as is the pilot programme of counselling for 18 to 25 year olds who need to access it.

 

“New operating funding for lead maternity carer midwives to survive financially and match the district heath board midwives pay is an excellent acknowledgement of the value of midwives and also for rural lead maternity carers.”

 

President Grant Brookes:

 

“The focus on child poverty, warm housing and housing affordability, combined with the overhaul of the welfare system is most welcome along with the focus on increasing access to government support entitlements.

 

“Nurses at the front line know that it is the results of poverty, poor housing and increased health need that brings extra pressure to the hospitals and clinics. Seeing the Budget social sector focus means relief could come sooner for nurses,” Grant Brookes said.

 

Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku:

 

“National Māori Health services that are for services for or by Māori has increased by over four million dollars and this is most welcome.

 

“The Healthy Homes Guarantee and the Warmer Homes programme are excellent initiatives to protect vulnerable families and to address respiratory illness, particularly seen in children,” she said.

 

ENDS.

 

Media enquiries: Karen Coltman 027 431 2617.

 

 

 

Media Release                                                            12 May 2018

 

Health is a New Zealander’s human right

 

Tomorrow, 12 May, is International Nurses Day. Over 19 million nurses worldwide are using their voice today to call for universal healthcare – because health is a human right.

International Council of Nurses: https://2018.icnvoicetolead.com/

NZNO chief executive Memo Musa says nurses are the backbone of healthcare systems internationally and are crucial to ensuring people all over the world receive good access to healthcare as a basic human right.

“The world health organisation estimates that half the world lack access to essential health services. Nursing is a major driver to achieving accessible, high quality care for all, no matter the setting or location,” Memo Musa said.

“Investing in nursing makes economic and social sense. Nurses are uniquely placed to reach all levels of society.  The holistic nature of the profession provides nurses an insight into health needs that no other health professional can provide.”

President Grant Brookes:

 

“The human right to healthcare is compromised after nine years of underinvestment in New Zealand which means that for some, access to healthcare is restricted. The right to the highest attainable standard of health is being undermined by unmet social needs, such as the need for adequate housing which is warm and dry.

 

“Nurses at all levels are using their voice to uphold the human right to health, from the nurse executives to the thousands taking action through NZNO’s Health Needs Nursing campaign, calling for the investment to rebuild a quality public health system.”

Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku: “Nurses can provide care that is enshrined in human rights, that is person and whānau centred but need to be empowered and enabled to do so.“

“With only six days until the Budget we have asked the Ministers of Finance and Health to boost health funding significantly with a particular mind on the nursing workforce which is under stress but also to better fund social services like mental health care, primary care and Iwi lead health providers,” Kerri Nuku said.

ENDS.

 

Media enquiries to: Karen Coltman 027 431 2617.