Above: NZNO delegate and Negotiation Team member Denise Moore reading the Strike Resolution at the Christchurch rally on 9 November

PHC MECA Update 18 November 2020

Kia ora, 

Stop Press! 

I understand it may feel frustrating that we have not seemed full steam ahead for Monday’s strike action over the last few days. Please be assured we are ready for that, but there has been activity this week which may have an influence on that action.

We were informed on Monday that a lot had been happening in the Ministry of Health space since we met Andrew Little last week. That was good to hear, but neither NZNO or NZMA had heard anything re tangible progress.

We contacted Minister Andrew Little yesterday with a request to catch up on progress and restated the key issues to him.

Further we indicated that before we could reconsider the strike, we would need a statement indicating that the employers have an improved offer to present and that negotiations would resume on this basis no later than 24 November.

Minister Little and myself caught up by phone early this morning where he confirmed things have been moving very quickly within the Ministry over the last week and a proposal has been put together which we understand is going through due process. 

He expects Anna Clark (Ministry of Health Deputy Director General Health Workforce) to update me on progress around this today. He acknowledged the tightness of our strike timeframe and our obligation to you as members.

We have also contacted NZMA Chief Executive Lesley Clark and updated her, because it is actually the employers we negotiate with.

We are very clear we need an assurance in writing that the employers have an improved offer to present and that negotiations will resume early next week in order for the Negotiation Team to reconsider Monday’s strike.

The timeframe is important because if these negotiations do not present an acceptable resolution there is still time to call another strike before Christmas – if that is what members decide is necessary.

We will be back in touch again tomorrow with an update and, depending on progress, we may include details for Monday.

Our visible collective strength last week and another strike looming has clearly had an impact. Let's hope we have the tangibility needed to progress negotiations next week without a further loss of pay for you.

Take care and keep safe.

Ngā mihi,

Chris Wilson