RNZ, Auckland, June 18, 2018
Nurses will today reveal whether they plan to go ahead with proposed strikes or accept a new pay offer from District Health Boards (DHBs).
Last month DHBs offered nurses pay rises of 9% over the next 15 months in a bid to avoid nationwide strikes, with some eligible for a 15% increase.
The offer includes a one-off payment of $2000, a 2% increase in staffing, as well as two new steps on the pay scale.
The new steps would mean registered nurses with more than five years of experience could have their base salaries boosted from $66,755 to $77,386 by December next year.
Nurses have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strikes if today’s vote reveals they consider the latest offer to be inadequate.
The strikes are scheduled for July 5 and July 13, 2018 for 24-hours but DHBs have contingency plans in place and life-preserving services will continue.
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