Nurses support PSA health workers’ industrial action

Forty six thousand nurses, midwives, students, kaimahi hauora, health care workers and allied health professionals from all around the country are sending their support to the PSA health workers who recently voted to take industrial action.

NZNO industrial adviser for the DHB sector, Lesley Harry says, “The health workers have been offered a paltry 0.7 percent pay increase per year, less than the rise in the cost of living. That’s essentially a pay cut. Why should any health worker subsidise the health sector by taking a pay cut?”

“The DHB’s reason for the low pay offer is a ‘tight fiscal environment’. NZNO believes that’s a poor excuse. We’d like to see the DHBs prioritise their health workforce by changing their financial planning to put staff and patients first, and we would like to see the Government fund DHBs adequately and sustainably,” Harry says.

“We cannot afford to ignore the challenges of increasing inequity, an ageing population and workforce, and changing health needs in today’s world. Funding for health must be a priority for Government. If we don’t start putting the money where it’s needed; into the staff who are our most valuable asset, and the patients they care for, we will be failing all New Zealanders.”

“By international standards New Zealand delivers first-rate health outcomes for comparatively modest spending. But that should never be at the expense of our health workers. Kia kaha PSA members, NZNO stands with you.”

New Zealand Nurses Organisation
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) is the leading professional body of nurses and nursing union in Aotearoa New Zealand, representing more than 45 000 nurses and health workers. Te Runanga o Aotearoa is the arm through which our Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership is articulated. Our members include nurses, midwives, students, kaimahi hauora, health care workers and allied health professionals. The NZNO vision is “Freed to care, Proud to nurse”. Our members enhance the health and well-being of all people of Aotearoa New Zealand and are united in their professional and industrial aspirations.

ENDS

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