Source: Radio New Zealand
File photo. RNZ / Peter de Graaf
More than 3500 health workers have voted to ratify a new collective agreement with Health New Zealand after a drawn out 18-month bargaining process.
Mental health nurses and assistants are included in the agreement, which will give them a 2.5 percent pay rise and an $800 lump sum payment each.
The agreement was reached after 18 months of bargaining between the Health New Zealand and the Public Service Association.
Public Service Association national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said it was a step in the right direction for their workers, but more funding was needed to address problems in the health system.
Health New Zealand’s initial offers were far too low and it took strike action to get a fair offer, Fitzsimons said.
More funding was needed to fix deeper problems in the health system, she said.
“All political parties must commit to a properly funded public health system that ensures safe staffing levels, and delivers quality are for all New Zealanders.”
The collective agreement covering 12,000 allied health workers was also ratified last Tuesday.
Voting will soon be held on a third health agreement for policy, advisory, knowledge and specialist workers.
Health NZ has been contacted for comment.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
