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July 03, 2023
Government makes historic pay equity offer for nurses
Waatea Team
Posted On July 3, 2023
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The Government has taken a significant step towards ending gender based pay discrimination in Health, following an agreement on the proposed terms of a settlement reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO), and the Public Service Association (PSA).
More than 30,000 nurses employed by Te Whatu Ora will soon vote on the historic pay equity rate and backpay offer which sees the Government add $1.5 billion to an interim pay equity settlement which.
If accepted, nurses employed by Te Whatu Ora will receive additional increases to pay rates and a $15,000 lump sum payment to address backpay issues, Minister of Health Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today.
“It is incredibly important to be able to make this offer to nurses, it represents a significant step to end gender based pay discrimination in the Health system and finally paying nurses what they are worth.
“That is a primary reason why the Government brought in the legislation and why we’re making this offer.
“I’m also pleased that it should have a positive impact on workforce recruitment and retention.” says Minister Verrall.
“If agreed, the payment will mean nurses receive two pay rises in nine months – the first being the interim 14% interim pay equity adjustments paid in April this year.
“This deal brings the total value of the pay equity settlement to $4 billion.
The Government also announced an additional 830 nurses to be trained as part of ongoing efforts to stabilise the work force.
An announcement on increasing the Māori health workforce will be made by Minister Henare and Verrall on Tuesday.
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