Kia ora Member,

This is a brief update on the Pay Equity mediation conducted between the unions (NZNO and PSA) and the DHB employers on Monday 13 June. This mediation with employers was initiated by NZNO in an endeavour to define the issues between the parties prior to any Employment Relations Authority (ERA) hearing.

At the meeting we put our mediation issues to the employers but, unfortunately, we were unable to reach any agreement, with the employers unable to move on any of our concerns. Therefore, they asked to adjourn so they could talk further with their stakeholders. Mediation will remain open, but we have made it clear that we will continue proceedings and adhere to the ERA timeline to ensure the process is not delayed.

The employers now need to file their response to our filing with the ERA as soon as possible. At this point the ERA will call the parties’ legal representatives to a ‘directions conference’ and make the next steps and timeframe clear. This is usually where the ERA would direct the parties to mediation, but given we are already doing that, we expect this is when they will decide whether all or any of the matters need to proceed for determination. Steps and timing around these matters are entirely at the discretion of the ERA.

We will keep you updated with developments.

Ngā mihi,

The NZNO Nursing Pay Equity Negotiation Team