Settlement recognises value of nurses - CTU

CTU MEDIA RELEASE
13 September 2007

Settlement recognises value of nurses - CTU

“The settlement announced yesterday between District Health Boards and the NZNO is a reflection on the value that the public hold in the work of nurses, midwifes and health-care assistants in our public health system,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

“If we want a high quality health system we need to value the workers providing those services. This collective agreement does just that.”

“Yes this settlement comes with a financial impact on District Health Boards. But recruitment and retention is an issue that faces health like it does many other industries, and it was critical that this agreement kept up with pay relativity for nurses.”

“The settlement also makes good use of the 2+2 KiwiSaver transitional provision for employers and employees to initially share the minimum 4% contribution.”

“The requirement for a 4% worker contribution can be deferred until 2011 in that situation, and we would expect other employers and workers to come to agreements before April next year to make use of this provision.”

"Yesterday’s agreement shows the value of working people negotiating collectively in unions on an industry wide basis through multi employer bargaining to address their conditions of work.”

ENDS

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