NZNO Media Release
4 September 2007

Positive Collective Bargaining Belies HCPNZ Position

Offers made to unionised Aged Care workers by four major employers in the sector show that collective negotiations are making progress, despite a Judicial Review launched by Health Care Providers New Zealand.

Members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation and Service and Food Workers Union are currently considering offers from Guardian Health Care Ltd, Qualcare, Metlife Care and Presbyterian Support Services Central.

All four offers meet the minimum requirements set out by DHB funding contracts: A minimum $1.00/hr increase for Caregivers, Catering, Cleaning and Laundry staff with a minimum pay rate of $12.55/hr for these workers.

While members of the two unions need to consider the proposals in full and look at the wider range of issues they took into bargaining, the positive approach these providers have taken to the DHBs’requirements is appreciated and has helped the parties to reach these proposals quickly and amicably.

“The Judicial Review has the potential to slow the whole process down, frustrating our members while the providers wait for the outcome before getting into substantial negotiations,” says NZNO Organising Services Manager Cee Payne-Harker. “There certainly are some providers taking this approach, however the vast majority have been prepared to work with NZNO and SFWU to implement the minimum requirements and more.”

HCPNZ will today seek an injunction at the High Court temporarily permitting some residential aged care providers to refuse to pass on taxpayer dollars specifically tagged to increase the wages of their lowest paid workers. Dates were set in the agreements by which providers are required to show that they have used the additional funding to implement the required minimum wage levels.

Cee Payne-Harker says it is disappointing that some providers have chosen to take the funding and then challenge the obligations that come with it.

NZNO and SFWU will continue to negotiate for collective agreements that exceed the minimum requirements and will work hard to engage those employers as yet unwilling to come to the table.

ENDS

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