The NZNO DHB Collective Agreement: What You Need to Know

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) and the District Health Boards (DHBs) negotiate a collective agreement every few years that lays out the terms and conditions of employment for nurses and other healthcare workers employed by the DHBs. The most recent agreement, negotiated in 2020, is now in effect until December 2021.

Here are some key things to know about the NZNO DHB Collective Agreement:

Pay increases: The agreement provides for pay increases of 1.38% in December 2020, and 1.38% in December 2021. These increases apply to all NZNO members covered by the agreement, regardless of their classification or location.

Classification and pay equity: The agreement includes a process for reviewing and updating the classification and pay equity system for nurses and healthcare assistants. This process is intended to ensure that people in different roles are fairly compensated for their work and that there is no gender bias in how pay is allocated.

Safe staffing: The agreement includes a commitment to safe staffing levels, with DHBs required to provide resources to ensure safe staffing and workload management. This is particularly important in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has put additional pressure on the healthcare system.

Leave entitlements: The agreement includes provisions for a range of leave entitlements, including annual leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and parental leave. These entitlements are designed to support a positive work-life balance for healthcare workers.

Professional development: The agreement includes provisions for professional development opportunities for healthcare workers, including funding for study and training, and support for ongoing learning and development.

Overall, the NZNO DHB Collective Agreement is an important document that sets out the terms and conditions of employment for nurses and healthcare workers in New Zealand. It provides for fair pay and working conditions, as well as support for ongoing learning and development. If you are a healthcare worker employed by a DHB, it is important to familiarise yourself with the terms of the agreement and to ensure that your employer is meeting their obligations under it.