Kia ora koutou katoa,

We reported last week that the employer parties had successfully completed their ratification process – i.e. reaching their 67 percent threshold. However, we were made aware late on Friday that around 90 of the employer parties had not responded at all. As of today this is sitting at around 50.

Unfortunately we are only able to ballot members in workplaces where the employer has said, “Yes.” At this stage there remain too many workplaces that will need to be discounted from our member ballot so the ballot will need to be delayed.

Given the current challenge of Covid-19 these employers may have overlooked the response date. NZMA is urgently following up each employer individually in a further attempt to get a response and get this number down.

We will keep in touch over the week as progress occurs and look to advise a new date for the ballot commencement as soon as possible.

As earlier advised this will be an online ballot so it is very important that we have up-to-date email addresses. If you believe NZNO may not have this correct information please urgently contact our Member Support Centre on 0800 28 38 48.

It would also help a lot if you checked with your colleagues whether they have received this email. If not, and they are an NZNO member, they need to contact NZNO urgently with their details including a mobile number if they do not have an email address.

Full details of the employers' offer for a proposed collective agreement will again be detailed along with your ballot form.

Ngā mihi,
 
Chris Wilson and Mike Yeats
on behalf of your PHC MECA Negotiation Team