More employers support PHC MECA.More than 85 percent of employers represented by the New Zealand New Zealand (zē`lənd), island country (2005 est. pop. 4,035,000), 104,454 sq mi (270,534 sq km), in the S Pacific Ocean, over 1,000 mi (1,600 km) SE of Australia. The capital is Wellington; the largest city and leading port is Auckland. Medical Association (NZMA NZMA New Zealand Medical Association NZMA New Zealand Milk (Australasia; Fonterra Co-op) ) in the negotiations for the primary health care (PHC PHC Primary health care, see there ) multi-employer collective agreement (MECA MECA Maine College of Art MECA Middle East Children's Alliance MECA Manufacturers of Emission Controls Association (Washington, DC) MECA Marriage Equality California MECA Mars Environmental Compatibility Assessment ) have ratified the proposed agreement. The number of employers who have ratified the agreement has continued to climb since the agreement was reached in early December. On January 12, 46.5 percent of the 599 employers represented by NZMA had ratified. This had climbed to 521 or 86.9 percent by the time Kai kai Noun NZ informal food [Maori] kai noun N.Z. (informal) food, grub (slang) provisions, fare, board, commons, eats (slang Tiaki Nursing New Zealand went to press. "Given that we have not yet formally begun the serious negotiations, this is a very positive sign," NZNO NZNO New Zealand Nurses Organisation PHC MECA advocate Chris Wilson said. NZNO has tried to identify the issues for employers who have either voted against the agreement or not responded to NZMA. NZNO organisers were to begin "serious negotiations" with these 70 or so employers this month. NZNO was urging members to attend these negotiations to ensure "democracy and transparency", Wilson said. It would also show employers that members were committed to being part of the MECA. Once the serious negotiations were completed, NZNO members in workplaces where the employers had ratified the PHC MECA, would have the opportunity to vote on the settlement by postal ballot. This ratification The confirmation or adoption of an act that has already been performed. A principal can, for example, ratify something that has been done on his or her behalf by another individual who assumed the authority to act in the capacity of an agent. process would take place from April 11-25. Legal action A small group of employers not represented by NZMA in the negotiations have continued to ignore their legal responsibilities and had not yet participated in bargaining. "NZNO is progressing legal action with these employers," Wilson said. NZNO members working for employers who have either voted against the agreement or who have not responded to NZMA, or who have not taken part in bargaining at all, have been asked to write to their employers. NZNO has developed a letter that points out that more than 500 other PHC employers have voted to accept the MECA. "We work hard to play our part in delivering quality PHC and we deserve to be valued. NZNO has played its part in negotiating a MECA which more fairly values the work of the PHC workforce. We are asking you, as our employers, to play your part now by voting 'yes' to the PHC MECA," the letter states. |
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