Kia ora koutou We continue to experience a very difficult MECA bargaining round. Since the last MECA Matters update we have attended four days of mediation. Over that time the DHBs have barely changed their position on pay. DHBs to Senior Doctors: “You must experience a year of pain”ASMS is claiming 1.5% for the first year (2021-2022), and CPI or 2% (whichever is higher) for a second year (2022-2023). In rejecting our claim, the DHBs are still insisting that SMOs take a real pay cut, including no increase to pay rates this year. When asked to explain why, the DHB’s response is that the SMO workforce is required to experience a "year of pain” under the Government’s pay restraint policy. We are not the only health professionals affected, with DHBs claiming that each professional group must experience a “year of pain”. Only once each group has experienced their “year of pain” will any increase on pay rates be considered by the DHBs. The unfairness of this stance is underscored by the Government’s own statistics which show the wage restraint policy has disproportionately affected health professionals, who have received the lowest wage and salary increases across the economy – at an average of just 1.2% per annum, compared to an average of 2.4% per annum for the rest of the workforce (according to the latest Labour Cost Index). This in the context of inflation running at 4.9% per annum. It seems like folly to target the health workforce during a major pandemic when, more than ever, we need to value and hang on to our critical health workers. The DHB offerThe DHBs are offering 0% for the first year and just 1.5% for a second year. They are also offering a $5,000 lump sum dependent on us agreeing to reduce the CME funding cap from five years back to the three-year accumulation limit. Their pay offer in total equates to a 1.18% increase for each year of a two-year term. Anti-social hoursDHBs have also rejected our claim for increased penal rates for working unsocial hours. We are still exploring with the DHBs how we might improve conditions for our lowest paid shift workers. Next stepBargaining is not over. We will continue to negotiate the best agreement we can, but we may end up with a settlement that falls well short of our aspirations. This will inevitably be at a cost to the Government of a very disgruntled medical and dental workforce. As always, if you have any questions or feedback about the MECA talks, you can respond to this email or contact us at meca@asms.org.nz. Thank you for your ongoing support over what has been a difficult year. Ngā mihi Sarah Dalton |