DHBs look to prevent strike action

DHBs look to prevent strike action

District Health Boards will do everything they can to settle this agreement and find a way to prevent industrial action following the NZNO members’ rejection of the latest DHB pay offer.

DHB spokesperson Helen Mason says DHBs will work with the NZNO to seek urgent mediation and facilitation to prevent strike action by NZNO nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants.

“Nurses, midwives and health care assistants are a highly respected and valued part of the modern team-based approach to health services and we are extremely concerned about the threat of industrial action.

“This is an excellent offer that is about much more than base pay rates.

“The offer includes a commitment to an additional 500 nurses to address workforce demands. It also includes funding to ensure the implementation of the safe staffing programme.

“In total, the offer would invest more than half a billion dollars in more staff and improving working conditions. It will also see the base pay rates of most experienced registered full time nurses go from just under $66,755 now to $77,368 by December 2019.

“I think people want to know DHBs are doing everything they can to respond to the nurses’ concerns.

“Patient safety is the DHBs’ main priority and while we’re working to reach a settlement and avoid disruption to services, we’re also working hard to ensure emergency and life preserving services are available if the industrial action goes ahead.”

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