Nurses vote to strike this Wednesday as DHB negotiations fall over
The eight-hour strike by nurses at all public hospitals and DHB facilities will go ahead this week after the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) voted to reject a second offer. NZNO lead advocate David Wait said the second DHB offer did not significantly change and did not address "serious nursing workforce issues" and "pay rates that do not attract people into the profession or retain the people we have".
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Nurses around the country will walk off the job in protest from 11am to 7pm on Wednesday.
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It's the second DHB offer that the union has turned down, which Wait said still fails to address the issues raised and wasn't significantly different to the previous offer. "Members are facing serious nursing workforce issues, with pay rates that do not attract people into the profession or retain the people we have, and staffing levels which stretch them to breaking point, putting them and their patients at risk."
District Health Boards spokesperson Dale Oliff said their main priority now is to ensure patient safety and maintain essential services during the strike. "DHBs will try to minimise disruption with some non-acute and elective procedures deferred were necessary to reduce demand on services and reduce patient numbers as much as possible." Processes are underway to contact patients impacted by the strike, while she said those needing urgent medical attention shouldn’t delay seeking help.
The union’s decision to reject the offer was prompted by the inclusion of a lump sum payment of $4000 which was a part payment on back pay that's owed to members through the pay equity claim that's expected to be settled at the end of the year. Wait said members know that these lump sums don't actually lift pay rates or improve the long-term issues that the health system faces and find it unfair that they'd be asked to wait out the pay equity process. "It's heart breaking that nurses and other health workers feel so undervalued that they would choose industrial action. Nobody wants this and the best way for future strikes to be avoided would be through a fair and decent offer." After the strike is over, negotiations will continue between NZNO and the DHBs which are likely to include mediation or facilitation, according to Oliff. "We anticipate bargaining will continue to focus on pay, with our commitment to the wellbeing package, protecting the gains from the last negotiations and DHBs assurance to safe staffing." Further strike action still hasn't been ruled out by NZNO and its 30,000 members. The union is calling for a "profession-enhancing offer" from the DHBs, that "truly recognises the contribution nursing staff make", according to Wait.
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Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.5% Yes, supporting people is important!
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26% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.4% ... It is complicated
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
Make a hearty dish. Take just half a minute. Add four parts of kestrel. Then just add one. What have you made?
(Trev from Silverdale kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Trev!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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Poll: Should complete designs be shared with the public, or should the community help shape the designs from the start?
The Post recently shared an opinion piece on the Harbour Crossing and why a more democratic approach might be needed 🚗🚲👟
While most decisions sit within the political arena, many organisations—like NZTA—manage long-term projects that go beyond party lines. Politics can sometimes disrupt progress, and the next Harbour Crossing is a big decision that will affect all Aucklanders.
We’d love your thoughts: Should near-complete, shovel-ready designs be shared with the public, or should the community have a hand in shaping the designs from the start?
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76.3% Community feedback and transparency is needed.
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23.7% No. This would be impossible in practice.
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