What do the nurses want?

The New Zealand Nurses organisation has rejected the District Health Board’s latest pay offer, which was increased by 15%. After 9 years of underfunding in the health area, the nurses have reached a breaking point. With poor work conditions, low staffing and high pressure, the nurses are demanding the District Health Board do something about this issue. The New Zealand Nurses organisation are using this opportunity to be loud and clear with the changes they expect in the system, after being let down for many years. This issue is not about nurses wanting more money, but about getting more appreciation and respect for their line of work.

A social media post by a nurse which commented on this issue being painted solely about pay by mainstream media reminded people the negotiations are more than that. Nurses are calling for safer staffing and recognition of more nurses being needed in wards. The offer the District Health Board proposed equated to approximately 1 to 2 extra nurses for each across New Zealand. This would not be sufficient enough to cover staffing issues or safely care for patients. The social media post also mentioned that new graduate nurses are feeling unprepared and ill supported by the system.

New Zealand Nurses Organisation Industrial Services Manager, Cee Payne spoke a little bit more about this, as did Richard Wagstaff, President of the Council of Trade Unions who has been supporting the nurses movement.