fair share
Equal pay campaigner Kristine Bartlett at the NZNO Annual Conference
N e w s Fo r N Z N O a n d S F W U M e m b e r s W o r k i n g In A g e d C a r e spring 2015
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MPs sign pledge against gender discrimination New Zealand Nurses Organisation, the Service and Food Worker’s Union Ngā Ringa Tota and the Public Service Association have launched a new campaign for ending gender-discrimination of pay. We’re relying on you asks all women MPs to sign a pledge to pay the job not the gender, and never support gender-discrimination of pay. We need you to write to them and let them know that you and your family, friends and workmates are relying on them. Half of women MPs have signed up so far. It’s very important you write to the rest now. Writing your letter is easy and only takes a minute. Go to www.equalpay.org.nz and click on ‘Click here to send a letter to an MP’. Pick an MP and fill out the quick form. You can do it on your smart-phone too. Get together with your workmates, and have a look on the same link at the letters other people have sent for inspiration. We want to see your important stories about the work you do every day!
“It’s a no-brainer.” An MP signing the pledge!
“I actually feel like caregiving is a recognised profession.” Metlifecare member speaking on the union pay offer
A win for Metlifecare members A new collective agreement ratified in August has seen well-deserved wage improvements for employees at Metlifecare. The agreement delivered an average payrise of 7.7%, with most carers receiving a 12 to 14% increase. Fair share news interviewed some of the staff about what this ground-breaking agreement means for them. They said: ͙͙ I can send more money back to my earthquake devastated homeland of Nepal. ͙͙ I can feel like I’m actually contributing to my family rather than it just being my partner. ͙͙ I can look after my family better – and won’t be as stressed with bills. ͙͙ Makes me feel valued and respected. Congratulations Metlifecare for being a leading employer in the sector. Your clients and staff can see that you really do care!
Bupa and Oceania deals deliver for union members NZNO and SFWU delegates have been in bargaining with Bupa and Oceania, to lock in increased funding for wages, and better working conditions. Both chains have agreed to a pass-on of the 0.7% DHB funding increase, with full back pay, for over 2000 union members. At Bupa, carers, support workers, physio assistants and activities officers will no longer have to wait to be appointed by management to step 5. This means Bupa tstaff can get additional pay rises, with rates now $17.50 to $19.50, as long as they meet the progress steps criteria. For members currently on step 4, the new level 5 could see a pay rise of 6%. Information on access to discretionary sick leave for workplace-related illness will be improved, and there is a commitment to RNs and ENs being able to complete duties within rostered hours. At Oceania, longer serving staff will also get new opportunities to move to senior carer rates with better pay. National and regional healthy workplace groups are being created. Some facilities have been sold or are renovating, so there is a new provision to protect workers who are asked to relocate to nearby Oceania worksites. Both chains have agreed to release staff on pay to support the equal pay campaign, with Bupa funding up to $30,000 of paid release. Ensuring members at both sites have adequate hours to complete work has been an issue, and this will continue to be monitored. Union members are currently voting on the new offers with results due later in October.
Don’t miss this opportunity to network with like-minded colleagues, grow your skills and become more effective in your practice. NZNO Gerontology Symposium
Health of older people strategy update Minister for Senior Citizens Maggie Barry has announced that the Ministry of Health is developing a new Health of older people strategy. This strategy follows the review of the New Zealand Health Strategy (2000), which is the overarching strategy for health in New Zealand. The vision of these high-level strategies is to allow people to participate fully in decisions about their health and wellbeing, in family, whānau and community life. The Ministry of Health will provide a new draft by the end of the year. Input will be sought from a broad range of sector experts and other key stakeholders. The aim is to provide a clear roadmap of actions for the next ten years. Workshops with stakeholders will focus on what’s working well, and on the opportunities and priorities for improvement. NZNO has submitted feedback as a key stakeholder, along with recommendations, as has the NZNO Gerontology Nurses’ Section. Anybody can comment and provide suggestions on the update of the Health of older people strategy at www.health.govt.nz/our-work/life-stages/health-olderpeople/health-older-people-strategy-update. Broader sector and public engagement will follow the drafting of the new strategy to align with the overarching direction and priorities for the health and disability support sector. Public submissions are open until the 31st of October 2015
Gerontology Symposium The NZNO Gerontology Section invites all registered nurses caring for older people to a symposium, Stepping up and speaking out. 5.5 professional development hours will be presented by expert nurses at the Sudima Hotel, 18 Airpark Drive, Auckland, on Friday, November 20, 2015 between 8:45am and 4:00pm. Topics will cover the latest information on: ͙͙ identifying concerns early ͙͙ confidently acting on your findings ͙͙ effectively communicating your findings and ͙͙ growing in confidence as an advocate. Expert presenters include Nurse Practitioners, academics and others; Rachel Hale; Dr Nicky Davis; Julie Daltrey; Margaret Cain; Denise Thatcher, and Kim Brooks.
Get more information here www.nzno.org.nz/groups/sections/gerontology
“The difference has been made through building stronger cross-party relationships.”
Turning it around, the union way Hawkes Bay organiser Stephanie Thomas shares how a rocky start to the year looks like it’s going to end up one of the best. In the first quarter of the year I was finding it increasingly hard to be on site at any of the Oceania facilities in Hawkes Bay. Members were too scared to talk with me because they felt that they would be punished by their manager if they did. There had been changes in most of the facilities, new managers were brought in who had never worked in the sector before. The previous relationship with Oceania was a good one but with the changes came a new culture that workers perceived as not “union friendly”. The local site meetings to discuss issues had been cancelled for several months and after a lot of restructuring and roster reviews, members were not happy either. In April I met with Rob Benefield, Oceania’s regional manager to discuss member’s concerns. Rob committed to changing things from his end. We decided the best way forward was to organise meetings of NZNO representatives and all Oceania site managers every three months. The first meeting was held in May. Judy Wright, one of NZNO’s experienced delegates, and I attended, along with Rob Benefield, most of their managers, and NZNO’s industrial advisor David Wait. After some discussion, it was agreed we were on track to restoring the relationship and there was commitment from both sides to continuing to meet in this way. Our second meeting was a huge success. Two delegates attended, Rita Wilme and Chris Little. We agreed that NZNO will be part of the new staff induction process. When new staff are employed they will now have a one-on-one discussion with the local organiser about our union and the collective agreement. They will also be put in touch with the site delegate/s, and hopefully will become members of either NZNO or SFWU depending on their worksite. Building stronger relationships was a theme in this year’s collective agreement negotiations. The SFWU, NZNO and Oceania agreed that more discussion is needed on fair distribution of overtime, progress through Career Pathways, creation of a Healthy Workplaces group and the new Senior Healthcare Assistant role. There was a September meeting scheduled for Eversley, and December at Atawhai, and we are looking forward to future meetings already!
For more information about joining the union contact New Zealand Nurses Organisation Phone 0800 28 38 48 www.nzno.org.nz Service and Food Workers Union Ngā Ringa Tota Phone 0800 86 46 61 www.sfwu.org.nz