Four Unions Reach Agreement with St John NZ

AWUNZ, CAWU, NZAA & AOWU Unions Reach Agreement with St John NZ

Following seven months of negotiation, Amalgamated Workers Union New Zealand Southern Incorporated (AWUNZ), Central Amalgamated Workers Union Incorporated (CAWU), New Zealand Ambulance Association (NZAA), Ambulance Officers Workplace Union Incorporated (AOWU) and St John are pleased to advise we have reached an agreement on the Operational and Management & Support Collective Employment Agreements that will be recommended by the four unions for acceptance by their members nationally.

The agreement is for a three year term with the following key elements:

• A pay increase staggered over three years; 1.25% backdated to 1 July 2016 (paid rates only), 1.5% from 1 July 2017 (paid & printed), at least 1.7%* from 1 July 2018 (paid & printed)

• Extended Alternative Days leave allocations of seven-11 days per year depending on length of service (in addition to existing annual leave allocations of six-seven weeks)

• New national meal break provisions

• New fatigue management policy developed during bargaining

• Recall rates retained at T1.5

*Should Ministry of Health – Labour Cost Index (LCI), exceed 1.7% for St John funding, the increase for 2018/19 period will be aligned to this up to a maximum of 2%

Whilst the process has been protracted, St John and the four unions have maintained a positive and constructive approach to bargaining, in most recent times, with a focus on working through issues in good faith.

We are pleased to have agreed to a pragmatic settlement that addresses some long standing issues. It provides for a period of stability in terms and conditions for all parties and enables us to maintain focus on making further improvements to our service.

AWUNZ, CAWU, NZAA, AOWU and St John agree this is particularly important given the current challenges brought about by continued disproportionate regional demands and the most recent natural disasters.

It is our preference to have nationally consistent terms and conditions for all St John employees, accordingly, St John and the four union parties have made provision for the First Union members to become party to the new Collective Agreement should they wish. If First Union decides not to become party to the new Collective Agreement, St John will continue to work through the various options available.

The AWUNZ, CAWU, NZAA and AOWU unions will be holding ratification meetings over the period 28 November to 8 December 2016 and subject to the Agreement being ratified we hope to have back-pay and additional leave credited to employees prior to Christmas.

Full release with agreement summary:
Joint_Communication__CAWUNZ_CAWU_NZAA_AOWU_AND_ST_JOHN.pdf

© Scoop Media