Action for safe staffing on Bargaining Initiation Day

Nurses kicked off their collective bargaining with Te Whatu Ora on 30 August with action to let Te Whatu Ora and the Government know that safe staffing will be the priority in this year’s negotiations. Also at the forefront will be claims reflecting the needs of Māori nurses.

The collective agreement expires on 31 October which made Friday 30 August the earliest date we can legally initiate for the next round of bargaining. The first meeting between the NZNO and Te Whatu Ora bargaining teams will be on 5 September.

Te Whatu Ora needs to be doing everything it can to keep nurses in New Zealand and safe staffing is a critical part of this picture. Nurses are taking a stand because they know it is patients and whānau that suffer when our health system is underfunded, and staffing gaps not filled. When nurses look to Australia, they not only see better pay but also better working conditions in the form of safe staffing ratios. Nurses, HCAs, midwives and kaimahi hauora don’t want to work in hospitals that are continuously understaffed and under-resourced.

Take action for safe staffing 

If you haven't already, get together with your workmates and take a photo holding one of the signs with the key bargaining messages for 2024. Email your photo to [email protected]


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Photos from the 30 August Day of Action