Lab Workers Pay Deal Sets Scene For Nurses & Midwives
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation congratulates the hospital laboratory workers who have announced a settlement
ensuring a minimum pay of $40,000 for new graduates employed in 16 District Health Boards.
“This settlement, recognising the skills and qualifications of laboratory workers, will encourage nurses and midwives
campaigning for fair pay,” said NZNO spokesperson Laila Harré, today.
“There is absolutely no justification for nurses and midwives, a predominantly women workforce, employed by the same DHB
employers, to lag behind on starting salaries which are in the low to mid $30,000s,” she said.
“Our research shows new graduate nurses should also be paid around $40,000 if their skills, effort and responsibility
are to be fairly recognised compared to similar professions.”
Laila Harré said, in negotiations this year, NZNO would seek a fair pay, or pay equity, settlement which properly
recognised the value of the job.