New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) Pay Agreement
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) is the largest nursing union in New Zealand, representing over 50,000 members. NZNO is responsible for negotiating pay and conditions for nurses and healthcare professionals in New Zealand.
After months of negotiations, NZNO finally reached a pay agreement with the District Health Boards (DHBs) in December 2020. The new pay agreement covers the next three years and provides a substantial pay increase for nurses and midwives.
The agreement includes a base pay increase of 1.38% each year for three years, covering the period 2020 to 2023. In addition to this, there is also a 3% lump sum payment for all registered nurses and midwives who are NZNO members.
The pay agreement also addresses a significant issue for many nurses and midwives – pay equity. The agreement includes a commitment from the DHBs to work with NZNO to develop a pay equity claim that will address the gender pay gap among nurses and midwives.
The pay equity claim is expected to be lodged by the end of 2021 and will seek to ensure that nurses and midwives are paid fairly for the work they do. Currently, around 90% of nurses and midwives in New Zealand are women, and many have been historically undervalued and underpaid.
The new pay agreement also includes a range of other improvements to working conditions, including increased annual leave, an increase in the weekend allowance, improved sick leave entitlements, and additional funding for professional development.
Overall, the new pay agreement is a significant win for nurses and midwives in New Zealand. It provides a much-needed pay increase and addresses the issue of pay equity, which has been a concern for many years. The agreement also recognizes the valuable work that nurses and midwives do and provides additional support and benefits for these essential healthcare professionals.
In conclusion, the NZNO pay agreement is an important development for the nursing profession in New Zealand. It recognizes the vital role that nurses and midwives play in the healthcare system and provides a tangible increase in pay and benefits. The agreement also shows the power of collective bargaining and union representation in achieving positive outcomes for workers.