May 21, 2020
Nurses reject continuation of pay gap


Primary health care nurses have voted down an offer from employers of 2.5 and 2 per cent pay increases over two years.
Primary care nurses and those working for Hauora Māori are fighting for parity with their colleagues in district health boards.
New Zealand Nurses Organisation industrial advisor Chris Wilson says despite approaches to the government by both unions and employers, the additional funding needed to achieve pay parity has not been forthcoming.
She says the offer was based on what employers say they can currently afford, which is still about 10 per cent less than for a DHB colleague with the same qualifications and experience.
The Primary Health Care Multi-Employer Collective Agreement covers more than 3400 nurses, receptionists and administrators across more than 500 practices and accident or medical centres.
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