Mediation fails to avert strike

7th September 2005

Mediation fails to avert strike

The Nurse Maude Association is working hard to complete contingency plans, after mediation failed to avert industrial action by NZNO members. The 24 hour strike commencing at 7am Friday 9th September, involves staff working in the district nursing, hospital and hospice palliative care services.

Nurse Maude’s Acting CEO, Sheree East, says “the Nurse Maude Association has worked hard to seek additional funding for these nurses”. “We strongly support our nurses’ desire to be paid in line with their colleagues working within DHB’s around the country” she adds.

The Association is in agreement with an NZNO’s written notice handed to patients ‘calling for the Canterbury District Health Board and the Government to fund the Nurse Maude Association adequately so that they can pay their nurses fairly’.

The offer, made to the NZNO members of a total of 6% over a two year period from April 2005, will absorb all nursing contract funding increases received from the CDHB. The NZNO’s claim will cost the Association an additional 24% per annum over and above current staffing costs.

Sheree East continues, “The Nurse Maude Association regrets that the industrial action will result in disruption to services to our patients. We are striving to ensure that all patients needing essential care will continue to receive services during this industrial action.”

Nurse Maude Association has been supported by the people of Canterbury for over 100 years and is the major provider of community nursing services. “It should not come as a surprise to the DHB or government that as a not for profit organisation, the Association is unable to finance a claim of this magnitude”, says Ms East.

ENDS

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