A planned nurses strike set to take place next week has been called off after a revised pay offer from DHBs.
NZNO received an improved offer which it will recommend to its members to vote on, and it has called off the Thursday July 5 strike as a result.
The offer came during urgent facilitation between the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) bargaining team and DHB MECA over the last two days.
“The NZNO Negotiating Team will be recommending the revised offer to our members.
We will therefore take the revised offer to members via an online ballot next week,” industrial services manager Cee Payne said in a statement.
It’s the fourth offer made to nurses by DHBs since negotiations began a year ago.
Nurses will get the full details of the new offer on Monday, and will be able to vote on whether to accept the offer online from Tuesday July 3 until Monday July 9.
“To give members time to assess the revised offer and to vote online, NZNO has formally notified DHBs that strike action for the Thursday 5 July has been called off,” Ms Payne said.
Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters and Health Minister Dr David Clark say the development is a “breakthrough” and they are pleased the July 5 strike has been called off.
“No one wants to see industrial action in our hospitals and both parties are to be congratulated for the constructive way they have continued to work together to find a settlement,” Mr Peters said.
He said it’s good news for nurses, DHBs, and most importantly patients across the country.
Dr Clark said he encouraged nurses to consider the pay offer closely.
“The lifting of strike notice will mean DHBs can operate as usual next week. I know this will be a huge relief to patients.”
Contingency planning will continue for a second strike set to take place on Thursday 12 July, as a strike notice remains in force at this stage.
The new offer will not exceed the $520 million package offered in the last round of negotiations, with both DHBs and the Government making clear there would be no new money on the table.
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