Above: 9 November strike; outside the Ministry of Health, Wellington

PHC MECA Update 11 November 2020

Wow – what a show of collective strength and passion!

The turnout and visibility on Monday at the gatherings/rallies up and down the country was amazing, as indeed was the Wellington march to the Ministry of Health, which I attended.

We had increased media coverage, particularly television with making the 6pm news on both TV1 And TV3. The TV1 coverage was a great feature piece.

A big thank you to the NZNO Communications and Media Team, and especially to the delegates and members who featured and contributed to the coverage. Aotearoa New Zealand certainly knows what your issue is.

We have posted a good deal of the media on the NZNO Facebook page. Below this message are links to some of the coverage we received.

Minister of Health meeting

We were contacted for an opportunity to have a briefing with new Minister of Health Andrew Little on Monday afternoon.

Also present were Margareth Broodkoorn Chief Nursing Officer, Claire Perry and Anna Clark Deputy Director Generals, Ministry of Health, and other advisors.

It was a positive meeting in that NZNO was given the floor to outline the background and where we are now; in particular that we were assured in September there was agreement to pay parity in PHC and that the initial focus would be the Primary Health Care MECA, but some two months have passed with no tangible progress.

Minister Little was certainly on point with his questions, and Anna Clark indicated they had met with the DHBs last week and were waiting for them to come back – expecting this to happen this week.

We stressed several times the urgency given the timing of the next strike, that it would be irresponsible on their part if that had to proceed, and therefore an immediate option for resolution needed to be found.

As we understand it this meeting occurred after the filming of the Minister's comments on TVNZ where he said he was not sure when pay parity will happen; so let's hope that’s now been influenced.

It was agreed the parties would keep in touch over the week. We will be proactively following up tomorrow as to any progress.

Also positive was Ashley Bloomfield’s response to questioning re the PHC Strike at the COVID briefing on Monday where, for the first time, he acknowledged that nurses' concerns were understandable given the pay gap and that they were looking for a solution.

Thanks especially to all those who turned out on Monday. We will be back in touch by the end of the week

Take care and keep safe.

Ngā mihi,

Chris Wilson

Striking Primary Health Care Workers Just Want Due Respect – NZNO
The Daily Blog, 11 November 2020
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2020/11/11/striking-primary-health-care-workers-just-want-due-respect-nzno/

Bay of Plenty primary health care nurses: 'We'd like to be paid as equals'
New Zealand Herald, 10 November 2020
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/local-focus-bay-of-plenty-primary-health-care-nurses-wed-like-to-be-paid-as-equals/CWWP3YC7552MX6IAFXJUS3I6JA/

Strike: Nurses down tools
Wairarapa Times Age, 11 November 2020
https://times-age.co.nz/strike-nurses-down-tools/

All we’re asking for is equity
Gisborne Herald, 10 November 2020
http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/local-news/20201110/all-were-asking-for-is-equity/

Frontline nurses march across New Zealand for equal pay
Stuff, 9 November 2020
NZNO industrial advisor Chris Wilson said members felt frustrated and disappointed that the Ministry of Health wouldn’t budge on the issue, despite two years of talks.
Nurses were leaving in “droves” while a recent member survey found 70 per cent of nurses wanted to leave their jobs, she said.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/123340536/frontline-nurses-march-across-new-zealand--for-equal-pay

You’d expect better response to nurses’ pay demands after Covid-19 response, says NZNO manager
TVNZ, 9 November 2020
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/you-d-expect-better-response-nurses-pay-demands-after-covid-19-says-nzno-manager

Nurses and primary healthcare staff continue strike over pay equity issues
Stuff, 9 November 2020
Stoke Medical Centre practice nurse Keryn McKay​​ said it was disappointing that there had been no progress in pay parity negotiations, with “lots of talk but no action” since nurses last went on strike on 3 September. 
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/123338416/nurses-and-primary-healthcare-staff-continue-strike-over-pay-equity-issues

Primary health care workers take to Auckland streets demanding pay parity
One News, 9 November 2020
More than 3000 nurses and staff across 500 general practices, accident and emergency centres and medical centres nationwide are striking for 24 hours.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/primary-healthcare-workers-take-auckland-streets-demanding-pay-parity

More than 3000 nurses from general practices walk off the job over poor pay
TVNZ, 9 November 2020
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/more-than-3000-nurses-general-practices-walk-off-job-over-poor-pay

Thousands of primary health care workers to strike
Rotorua Now, 9 November 2020
https://rotoruanow.co.nz/news/23599-thousands-of-primary-health-care-workers-to-strike.html

Nurses working on Covid-19 frontline demand pay parity with DHB counterparts
Radio New Zealand News, 9 November 2020 
"The frustration and anger and disrespect you must all be feeling for not being heard after one year of fruitless negotiations is just not acceptable," Wilson said.
"What do you have to do to be recognised? You're the front door of health."
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/430205/nurses-working-on-covid-19-frontline-demand-pay-parity-with-dhb-counterparts

Primary health workers strike out in the cold in Feilding
Stuff, 9 November 2020
“In the current health and social spending context, we do not think this is too much to ask.”
The organisation has issued notice of a further strike on November 23 if no further progress is made.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/123342399/primary-health-workers-strike-out-in-the-cold-in-feilding

Northland primary health care staff join second strike over pay parity debate
New Zealand Herald, 10 November 2020
"I think we are worth what our hospital colleagues are, having [done] both roles, you know that you're worth it," Bream Bay Medical Centre nurse Alexandra Maunder said.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/northland-primary-healthcare-staff-join-second-strike-over-pay-parity-debate/7XUMOYIER2XGUC6KNP3YZKDXSA/

Invercargill nurses join second historic strike
Stuff, 9 November 2020
Charleen Waddell works for both the Southern DHB and a general practice, allowing her to see the pay disparity and inequitable expectations first-hand.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/123340810/invercargill-nurses-join-second-historic-strike

Primary healthcare nurses urge pay parity with DHB nurses
Radio New Zealand News, 9 November 2020
Thousands of nurses and workers across 500 primary health care facilities downed tools, demanding pay parity with their District Health Board counterparts.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018772009/primary-healthcare-nurses-urge-pay-parity-with-dhb-nurses

Nurses strike over lack of pay parity
Otago Daily Times, 10 November 2020
"Admin staff aren’t even earning the living wage yet, and senior primary healthcare nurses earn 10.6% less than their counterparts in a DHB, and there’s a real issue with recruitment because of this," Dunedin NZNO organiser Karyn Chalk said.
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/health/nurses-strike-over-lack-pay-parity

Striking nurses feel fobbed off and angry as they walk-off job for 24 hours
New Zealand Doctor, 9 November 2020
https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/striking-nurses-feel-fobbed-and-angry-they-walk-job-24-hours

Newshub 6pm - Item 8
Newshub, 9 November 2020
Chris Wilson of the NZ Nurses Organisation said they are losing pay...just to get what is fair and what their colleagues are paid elsewhere.

Te Ao-Māori News 6.30pm - Item 6
Māori Television, 9 November 2020
New Zealand Nurses Organisation advisor Chris Wilson says workers are feeling angry.

1 News 6pm - Item 7
TVNZ, 9 November 2020
The NZ Nurses Organisation claims they are paid 10% less than hospital nurses, and members are angry after a year of negotiating. ... Chris Wilson of the NZ Nurses Organisation said that (shortfall in salary) is $7,600 a year, a significant sum of money.

Newshub 4.30pm - Item 5
Newshub, 9 November 2020
New Zealand Nurses Organisation's Chris Wilson says they are losing pay.

Magic Talk 2pm - Item 4
Magic Talk, 9 November 2020
Primary healthcare nurses are seeing red around the country, picketing for equal pay. ... It's been an ongoing battle for [ NZ] Nurses Organisation members this year to be paid the same as their district health board colleagues.

1 News midday - Item 12
TVNZ, 9 November 2020
The strike notice was issued by the New Zealand Nurses Organisation last month with another 24 hour strike planned at the end of this month.

RNZ National 11am - Item 5
Radio New Zealand, 9 November 2020.
Should no agreement be reached between the parties the New Zealand Nurses Organisation has also lodged a strike notice for November the 23rd.

Newstalk ZB Wellington 8am - Item 5
Newstalk ZB, 9 November 2020
Strike spokeswoman [New Zealand Nurses Organisation] Chris Wilson says the Government has failed to act on its recognition in September that parity with DHB nurses is needed.