Auckland.

A TRAINING seminar for Auckland Plunket delegates was held in late April in preparation for upcoming negotiations. The aim of the seminar is to develop more efficient communication processes at a local level and networks for delegates.

Sunset Lodge (NZ Lifecare): Wage negotiations have taken place and we await a response to the joint union claim from the employer.

Havencare Hospitals Ltd: Collective agreement negotiations have again stalled, though the employer has offered a skills-based pay system. The rates of pay to apply to each level have not been agreed.

Pukekohe Family Health: Preparations are underway for negotiations, which were due to start this month.

Care and Independence: Negotiations are underway, with the first meeting held in April. The NZNO delegate at Hillsborough Hospital, Betty Larsen, is oil our negotiating team with colleagues from Christchurch sites.

Counties Manukau District Health Board: Restructuring decisions in surgical services, medical and acute services, women's health and Kid: First have been announced.

NZNO has now established a formal core of senior nurse and midwife delegates to work alongside and within our wider delegate structure. Senior nurse/midwife delegates will represent their senior colleagues across the organisation, rather than acting as a delegate at the ward/unit level.

Harbourside Group Holdings: After nearly 12 months' negotiations and following industrial action, an improved offer has been ratified by members. The settlement includes a two percent increase backdated to December 1 2002 and a further one percent this October. The parties will be meeting during the term of the agreement to work towards developing consistent terms and conditions of employment in and across the three sites. NZNO and Service and Food Workers' Union (SFWU) members expect this joint working group will make real progress on the outstanding issues from the protracted negotiations.

Delegates and members can now concentrate on ensuring members terms and conditions are being accurately applied and deal with ongoing workplace issues, including ensuring health and safety representatives are elected and trained.

During the past 12 months, union membership has increased at both the Tararu and Mary Shapley sites; membership at Glenburn has always been strong. All union members have been fully involved in the ongoing industrial action and other workplace activities. Throughout the protracted and often antagonistic negotiations, NZNO and SFWU delegates led the action, ensuring members were kept involved and informed. Many thanks to the following NZNO delegates for their unfailing commitment and energy: Sue Beggs, Julie Heritage, Elsie Klaassen, Hala Liufau and Robert Reynoso (Glenburn); Darryn Burgess and Pat Pahl (Mary Shapley); and Kelly Cochran (Tararu).

Onsdorp Care Centre and Geriatric Hospital: The recent wage review has resulted in a 2.5 percent wage increase for 12 months from April 1, 2003. Also, in response to increased workloads, there are now additional registered nurse hours on the weekends and additional caregiver hours during the week.