Te Whatu Ora ratification meetings and ballot
Background
Preparation for bargaining started in late 2023, involving a claims and bargaining team selection process with a focus on member involvement and transparency of the process.
We initiated bargaining on September 3 2024, following the 60 day initiation window opening on 31 August, aiming to begin bargaining as quickly as possible.
Bargaining began on September 5, with a ‘pre-bargaining’ session and we subsequently met for 16 days of bargaining, including mediation aimed at settling the agreement and
avoiding strike action.
Following bargaining and mediation, we applied to the Employment Relations Authority for facilitated bargaining, which occurred in late March / early April.
The Employment Relations Authority provided it’s recommendations in April. These recommendations are not binding on the parties, neither members, nor Health NZ are required to agree with the recommendations. We immediately shared the recommendations to members and met with Health NZ to discuss the offer they would make. On 12 May Health NZ provided an offer to members, which we will go through at the ratification meetings.
Following the ratification meetings, we will run an online ratification ballot, where members will decide whether to accept, or reject the Health NZ offer. That decision will be decided by a majority vote of members who are entitled to vote, and who do vote.
After eight months of bargaining, Health NZ have presented an offer which:
- Does not cover increases to the cost of living;
- Have not guaranteed that clinical need, as determined by the safe staffing programme CCDM, will take priority when determining staffing levels;
- Have not agreed to offer permanent, full employment to new graduates, despite having done so in the past and despite New Zealand not training enough nurses to meet our own workforce needs.
Ratification documents
- HNZ offer 12 May 2025
- HNZ offer 12 May 2025 - pay scales
- Proposed HNZ NZNO CA with Tracked Changes
- Recommendation from HNZ NZNO facilitated bargaining 29 April
Ratification meetings
Member meetings will be held from 13-23 May. NZNO members covered by the proposed collective agreement will be emailed a link to vote in an online ratification ballot open 19-23 May.
Information about online meetings open to all members has been emailed to members. In some districts, there may also be in-person meetings, please look out for information locally about this.
The online meetings will be held by Zoom, check your email for the link.
- Tuesday 13 May - 11am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm
- Wednesday 14 May - 11am, 1pm, 7pm
- Friday 16 May - 11am, 1pm, 4pm
Why these meetings are important
Collective bargaining is a democratic, member-led process. It's important that members are well-informed leading into the ratification vote. At the meetings there will be the opportunity for members to discuss the offer that has been received, as well as to consider next steps. It's critical that there are high levels of member engagement in both the meetings and the ratification ballot that will follow.
Your right to attend
Te Whatu Ora has been notified that NZNO members will be attending ratification meetings during the period 13-23 May. In accordance with the Code of Good Faith for the Public Health Sector, our expectation is that Te Whatu Ora managers will work with members / delegates to ensure all union members can be released to attend a meeting and that the employer’s business can continue.