A previous nurse’s strike in July. (File photo)
Photo: RNZ/Samuel Rillstone
Health New Zealand’s clinical boss says he was “unaware” nurses were demanding a 3 percent pay increase as part of strike action this week.
More than 36,000 Nurses Organisation (NZNO) members were striking 7am – 11pm, Tuesday and Thursday.
Health NZ estimates 2250 planned procedures, 3600 first specialist appointments and 8000 follow-up appointments will be postponed due to the strikes.
It followed nearly a year of deadlocked negotiations between the union and Health NZ, which culminated in a 24-hour strike at the end of July.
Nurses were striking due to concerns about staffing levels and safety. The latest pay offer was also dismissed as a “massive backward step”.
NZNO President Anne Daniels told RNZ that – in addition to pay equity and better staffing – nurses were demanding a pay rise in excess of three percent.
NZNO President Anne Daniels. (File photo)
Photo: RNZ / Pretoria Gordon
“That is a pay rate that is above the cost of living. A less than 1 percent pay offer is a pay cut,” Daniels said.
But Health NZ’s chief clinical officer Dr Richard Sullivan told Morning Report, he had not heard the nurses union’s demand of a 3 percent pay increase until it was brought up on air on Tuesday morning.
He said Health NZ was ready to get around the table with the nurses.
“It was great to hear a number because we have been asking the union for some time about what it would take to settle this agreement. That’s the first time I’ve heard that number.”
Sullivan said he was not sure whether the nurses demands were based on addressing staffing levels or pay.
“It’d be interesting to get back around the table – and have that conversation – and see if we can find a way through this.”
Health NZ’s Dr Richard Sullivan. (File photo)
Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel
Daniels earlier said management was refusing to give any guarantee on safe staffing levels, which were critical to patient care.
“It’s unprecedented to have two full-day strikes within one week.
“That reflects to me the extreme anger that our members have towards Health NZ and the government over not putting on the table something we can talk about.
“Our minister of health keeps telling us to come back to the table, but nothing new is put on the table – so what is the point?”
Hospitals and all emergency departments would remain open during the strike, with a small number of staff providing life-preserving services.
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