Introducing the national bargaining team: negotiations for a national public sector multi-employer collective agreement for nurses and midwives got underway this month. Here we introduce the negotiating team.

THE OMENS were good as negotiations for a national, public sector multi-employer collective agreement (MECA) began this month. These negotiations are profoundly significant for NZNO: they are the first such national negotiations in more than 12 years; and they represent the culmination of a three-year strategy to bring together 21 district health board employment agreements into one national MECA.

Members have resoundingly endorsed the pay claim and the negotiating team had a successful two-day training session last month. Representatives of District Health Board New Zealand (DHBNZ), the negotiating arm of the DHBs, met briefly with the negotiating team during the training session. NZNO advocate Glenda Alexander said the meeting had been positive with DHBNZ representatives keen to "move the negotiations forward" and confident of reaching a good outcome.

Negotiators were buoyed by the presentation of a 125,000-strong petition to Parliament late last month--a clear demonstration of public support for nurses' and midwives' fair pay claim. The claims are centred on gaining fair pay, reasonable workloads and sale staffing.

So who are those who have accepted the challenge of being on this historic negotiating team? There are 14 delegates (see right) and five NZNO staff--industrial adviser and team co-ordinator Glenda Alexander and organisers Carol Brown, Jenny Dorrian, Lyn Olsthoorn and Chris Wilson. There is also a "rapid response unit" of one delegate from each DHB and a 126-strong delegate team around the country, which will liaise between workplaces and the negotiating team.

JO WEST: charge nurse, cardiothoracic surgical unit, Auckland DHB. NZNO delegate since 1992. Wide range of professional experience and is committed to giving voice to the profession, the integrity of the negotiating process and communication.

BONNIE HORN: District nurse, Counties Manukau DHB. Delegate/convenor for more than 15 years and has been on negotiating teams four times. Has been an RN since 1967. Is a good communicator with an ability to articulate nurses' issues, an able facilitator and team player.

BEVERLEY GRIFFITHS: RN, medical ward, Bay of Plenty DHB. Has worked as both an RN and an EN. Brings determination, confidence, a working knowledge of implementing contract clauses and their continued improvement.

ALISON BROWN: Registered nurse, paediatrics Taranaki Base Hospital. Extensive experience as delegate and convenor. Has worked as a hospital aid and an EN. Values listening, is able to articulate concerns, debate, strategise and see the big picture.

CATHRYN HELLYER: Care associate (previously an EN for 33 years) at Hastings Hospital. Convenor at Hawke's Bay DHB and an NZNO delegate for eight years. Has a good understanding of agreements and application of clauses.

JAN SEUSEU: Clinical charge nurse, neonatal unit, Dunedin Hospital, Otago DHB. Years of negotiating experience, long time member of Dunedin Hospital workplace committee and Southern Regional Council. Clear thinker and good knowledge of SI MECA.

CLAIRE JOHNSTON: RN, acute cardiology, Christchurch Public Hospital, Canterbury DHB. Co-convenor of Christchurch Hospital's workplace committee. Brings enthusiasm, good communication skills, can problem solve and remain calm under pressure.

PAULA BARNETT: RN, North Shore Hospital, Waitemata DHB. Union delegate since 1990, with previous Auckland MECA negotiating experience. An RN for 13 years with a desire to greatly improve nursing's lot. Brings enthusiasm, experience and knowledge to role.

JANET BLACK: Neonatal nurse specialist; midwife, Waikato DHB. Member of negotiating team for last five negotiations, which included the strike in 1999. Passionate advocate for nurses and midwives; committed and idealistic; fit and well.

VIV WRATHALL: RN, emergency department, Taupo Hospital, Lakes DHB. Long-time delegate, now Bay of Plenty / Tairawhiti regional chair. A good communicator, level headed and cool under pressure. Works well in team but has ability to form own opinions.

DIANE MADDOCK: After hours manager/ senior nurse, Hutt Valley DHB. Involved in lower North Island Senior Nurses' MECA. Worked well in a team and keen to look at other ways of doing things to make progress. Flexible as working part time.

NANO TUNNICLIFF: Registered nurse, Nelson Hospital Laboratory, Nelson Marlborough DHB. NZNO delegate since 1998 and has worked as an organiser with the Australian Nursing Federation. Wants to help nurses achieve safe staffing and fair pay.

ANNE MCFARLANE: EN, operating theatre, Southland Hospital, Southland DHB. Years of experience on negotiating teams, member of NMAC, active in EN national section, has an interest in quality issues and has peer support for NZNO work.

SHERYL BUTCHER: RN, mental health Hillmorton Hospital, Canterbury DHB. Active member of workplace committee. In-depth knowledge and experience of pertinent industrial and professional issues facing mental health nurses.