Nurses considering new pay rise offer

DISTRICT health boards yesterday raised the stakes in the poker game they are playing with the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, offering a 9% pay rise over 15 months to settle a longrunning pay dispute.

The union is now analysing the offer, which doubles the DHBs’ previous offer and includes a $2000 oneoff payment on ratification, and millions to employ extra staff.

The NZNO would not comment yesterday, saying it had not expected the DHBs’ offer to be made public.

‘‘The next steps for NZNO is to discuss the offer with the full NZNO negotiation team and our DHB national delegate committee . . . a full NZNO analysis will be out to members on Thursday this week.’’

The NZNO discussions will be held today.

Yesterday, the union announced a ballot of its 27,000 members had voted to withdraw labour for 24 hours from 7am on July 5, and again from 7am on July 12.

The union and DHBs have been poles apart during negotiations, with nurses arguing for large pay rises to compensate for long hours, shortstaffing and poor work conditions.

The DHBs’ starting position in April had been 2% over two years and a lump sum of $1050 — an offer rejected by the union.

An independent panel was set up by the Government to try to avert strike action by nurses, and its recommendation, released last week, was of a 3% pay rise from June, another 3% in August, and again in August next year to cover the cost of living, as well as a oneoff $2000 payment.

Nurses said that offer fell short of meeting their concerns, so there is no guarantee a similar proposal from the DHBs will find favour.

Another vote will be held by NZNO members next week on whether to accept the revised DHB offer, or proceed with industrial action, as planned.