Above: 3 September strike day, Rotorua

PHC MECA Update 30 October 2020

Strike notices

As indicated the strike notices for the 24 hour strike on 9 November were individually sent to the 489 employers on 23 October.

If there is not progress to hand the strike notices for the 24 hour strike on 23 November will be issued on 6 November.

Other measures

We understand that discussions/data provisions are still continuing with the DHBs, Ministry of Health and the employer parties, but we do not have any tangible progress to report at this point.

We have proactively confirmed negotiations for Thursday 5 November in case there is an ability to work on a new offer with additional funding prior to the strike action taking place on 9 November. This remains a key objective.

Campaign – we are on to the next steps!

It is important we still keep our campaign plan underway.

We are in the final stages of confirming a national plan for activities on 9 November that promotes member participation and ensures we again have great visibility. As we are in Level 1 now, and there are no restrictions on attendance, we will be seeking support from other members in NZNO, unions and your whānau and friends to join us in the planned activities.

This plan will be out to you later in the day on Tuesday of next week (enough time to get information out to all is needed) and this will definitely include national rallies/gatherings in some form from midday – 1pm across the country. There will be a march to the Ministry of Health in Wellington.   

We are also reviewing the resources for the day – it would seem a new poster of “Let's keep moving” seems very apt, and these will be confirmed on Tuesday also.

FAQs about how the strike day should be managed, what this means for normal hours of work and who can strike will be also be sent through.

Media

We have included below our media release in relation to the strike notices and some of the coverage we received, even though it was a long weekend.

Take care and keep safe and be in touch again on Tuesday.

Ngā mihi,

Chris Wilson

NZNO escalates Primary Health Care strike action
New Zealand Nurses Organisation media release, 23 October 2020

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) has issued a strike notice today covering some 3200 Primary Health Care (PHC) nurses and receptionist/administration staff across more than 500 practices and accident/medical centres nationwide.

The first 24 hour strike is set for 9 November with a further 24 hour strike scheduled to take place on 23 November.

PHC members voted overwhelmingly in favour of the strikes and the union says that’s a clear indication of their frustration, anger and disappointment – and of how tired they are of being constantly undervalued after 10 months of fruitless negotiations.

This follows two national rounds of stop work meetings and a one day strike on 3 September.

NZNO Industrial Advisor Chris Wilson said that, despite assurances from the Ministry of Health, DHB representatives and employers in September that there is finally a commitment to pay parity with staff employed in DHBs, there has been no tangible progress to enable a return to the negotiating table, so the strike notice has been served.

"It is very disappointing that we have to take this step. Funders and the Government must join with the employers of this workforce and act with urgency to appropriately value their primary health care workforce and halt the staff recruitment and retention issues plaguing the sector.

“Just this week the Minister of Health has encouraged us to continue using the Employment Relations Authority to help progress a settlement, but we have already been to mediation with no progress because the Government will not address the funding issue at the heart of the problem.

“Our members are now feeling more fobbed off and angrier than ever.”

Ms Wilson said it was unfathomable that strike action should be required, with significant disruptions to services in the community, when all these PHC nurses and staff want is to be paid the same.

“They are not asking more than what is just – equal pay for work of equal value. There is still an opportunity to get around the table and find a solution and NZNO is willing to meet at any time to resolve this impasse.”

-Ends-

Medical centre, GP nurses to strike again for pay parity with DHBs
Radio New Zealand News, 23 October 2020
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/429047/medical-centre-gp-nurses-to-strike-again-for-pay-parity-with-dhbs

Nurses will strike for two days over lack of pay parity
Newshub, 24 October 2020
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/10/nurses-will-strike-for-two-days-over-lack-of-pay-parity.html

Nurses to strike again after 10 months of 'fruitless' pay parity negotiations
Stuff, 26 October 2020
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/123207924/nurses-to-strike-again-after-10-months-of-fruitless-pay-parity-negotiations?cid=app-iPhone

Primary care staff to take further strike action after pay parity negotiations stall
New Zealand Doctor, 23 October 2020
https://www.facebook.com/notes/new-zealand-doctor/primary-care-staff-to-take-further-strike-action-after-pay-parity-negotiations-s/10158084181218214/