Negotiations led by the Society for a new collective employment agreement (CEA) for Timaru's Bidwill Trust Hospital staff have had a positive outcome for all concerned.
Nurses Society director David Wills says the priority with the claim centered on maintaining relativity with Te Whatu Ora rates and achieving conditions above Te Whatu Ora rates.
He said good employers like Bidwill recognise the importance of this, even during challenging economic times.
Main features of the settlements include:
o A 7% base rate increase over a two year period with backdating to 1 June 2024.
o A boost to enrolled nurse rates to reflect changes to their scope of practice.
o Some new merit steps for support staff.
o Doubling some allowance rates.
o Introduction of a "wellness day".
o Paid redundancy provision.
o A commitment by Bidwill to review rates if there are significant increases to Te Whatu Ora rates during the life of the agreement.
The Society has a registered union arm - Te Uniana o NSNZ - which it uses for most of its CEA bargaining. One Society CEA (for urgent care nurses) is done through another mechanism.
Negotiations led by the Society for a new collective employment agreement (CEA) for Timaru's Bidwill Trust Hospital staff have had a positive outcome for all concerned.
Nurses Society director David Wills says the priority with the claim centered on maintaining relativity with Te Whatu Ora rates and achieving conditions above Te Whatu Ora rates.
He said good employers like Bidwill recognise the importance of this, even during challenging economic times.
Main features of the settlements include:
o A 7% base rate increase over a two year period with backdating to 1 June 2024.
o A boost to enrolled nurse rates to reflect changes to their scope of practice.
o Some new merit steps for support staff.
o Doubling some allowance rates.
o Introduction of a "wellness day".
o Paid redundancy provision.
o A commitment by Bidwill to review rates if there are significant increases to Te Whatu Ora rates during the life of the agreement.
The Society has a registered union arm - Te Uniana o NSNZ - which it uses for most of its CEA bargaining. One Society CEA (for urgent care nurses) is done through another mechanism.