Update on the PHC MECA Bargaining Following the last bargaining meeting, NZNO advised they would be going out to their members to seek an indicative vote about whether a 2.78% increase – which is the amount that employers’ funding has increased by – would be good enough. NZNO has advised that this was very strongly rejected. NZNO has advised that instead of meeting again, the plan is to hold paid union meetings with its members to progress actions in line with the union’s campaign for pay parity. NZNO has noted that the intention is to target funding with this approach, not to inconvenience the employers. There will be two separate meetings scheduled (see times below) to allow all members to attend one of the two meetings, not both, so that practices can keep running. What can practices expect? •
You can expect to receive formal notice of these meetings, in line with the requirements of the Employment Relations Act. NZNO should provide you with at least 14 days' written notice confirming the date, time, and duration of the meeting/s for your employees.
Who can attend the meetings? •
Only NZNO members can attend the meetings. If a staff member is rostered on at the time of the meeting, they must be paid. You do not have to pay a staff member who is not rostered on at the time of the meeting. The maximum time members need to be released and paid for is 2 hours, including any time travelling to and from the meeting. NZNO can provide a list of the members who attended your practice.
How will this affect your practice? •
During the time members are at the meeting, you can continue to operate, utilising nurses who are either attending the other meeting, or those who are not NZNO members. NZNO is providing plenty of notice so that employers can plan to ensure their practice will not be unduly disrupted. Meetings:
Meeting 1: Wednesday 12 October 2022, from 12.30pm - 1.30pm Meeting 2: Wednesday 12 October 2022, from 2.30pm - 3.30pm