Long-serving educator among staff resignations.

LONG-SERVING NZNO staff member Jo Duffy is among three staff who have resigned recently. The others are Auckland-based educator Chris McDonald and Wellington-based professional nursing adviser Faith Roberts.

Duffy began her involvement with the former NZNA as a delegate and held a number of regional and national positions. She began work for NZNA as an organiser based in Christchurch in 1991. She continued as an organiser with NZNO and subsequently moved to an educator role within the organisation. She has moved to the New Zealand Educational Institute, the union covering primary school teachers, as a part-time educator covering the South Island.

Commenting on her time with NZNO, Dully said she had had the honour of meeting many wonderful members, delegates and staff who worked extremely hard to support members' aims. "I have often been left in awe of the commitment and hard work that many people contribute to support the work of NZNO."

Her work as an organiser and educator had been "exciting, rewarding, frustrating, challenging, but never boring". There had been many great successes and a few "stunning blows", notably the Employment Contracts Act.

"I have learnt much and shared many laughs. What more could a person want from their job?"

Duffy said she would watch NZNO's pay equity and safe staffing campaigns with interest. "I hope to be invited back for the party to celebrate the successes."

McDonald, who formerly worked for the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union, has left NZNO to pursue a number of union consultancy projects, after four and a half years with NZNO.

Roberts joined NZNO in July 2002 from her position as nursing practice consultant in medical services at Lakes District Health Board (DHB). She left NZNO this month to take up a position in the Ministry of Health's DHB performance and funding adirectorate. NZNO chief executive Geoff Annals said Roberts had shown great skill and dedication in her NZNO work.

A former NZNA/NZNO organiser Gwenda Brodie has been appointed as a temporary, part time organiser in Hamilton. A permanent appointment in Hamilton is expected by the end of October.