Minister Of Health 'disappointed' by Nurses Organisation's decision to seek legal advice on pay settlement

23 April, 2022 

Interview by Emilia Sullivan, adapted by Jessica Hopkins

Nurses and other DHB workers are likely to take strike action after the government's recent pay equity settlement offer. Photo: New Zealand Nurses Organisation.

Listen to the full interview here

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) has decided to seek legal advice on the pay equity settlement presented to them by the government.  

NZNO Chief Executive Paul Goulter said members expected back pay for two years of their past work and are dissatisfied with the proposed lump sum payment.

With these recent developments, the chance of nurses and other DHB workers going on strike has risen.

The Minister of Health, Andrew Little, told Emilia Sullivan on 95bFM's The Wire that the government is disapointed by this outcome. 

"Given the amount of work that's gone into it, and the Nurses Organisation asking me last year to give them an impetus to bring the thing to a conclusion which we've done, it was a little disappointing." 

"There appears to be a view by some Nurses Organisation members that there is entitlement to two years of back pay at the equity rate. There is no agreement to do that, there has never been, so I'm a little confused about that."

Little claimed that the NZNO choosing to seek legal advice will stop adjusted pay rates from reaching nurses and delay them from receiving fair wages for their work.  

The minister said that while he understands the frustrations of the organisation, delivering back pay is just not in the government's best interest.  

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