New deal at MercyAscot secures range of improvements.

Staff at MercyAscot in Auckland have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a settlement offer which delivers a base pay increase of 3.5 percent in the first year to all staff, with variable increases across occupational groups for the following year. The increases give a total base rate increase of between 4.5 and 5.5 percent. The agreement also includes a commitment to assess pay rates achieved in DHBs' negotiations. The agreement, which covers 383 NZNO members, includes an extra merit step of $3000 per annum for senior registered nurses, while professional development recognition programme payments for resource nurses and team Leaders move to $4000. Health care assistants will get a top pay rate of $20 an hour.

Other improvements include better consultation clauses, increases to shift Leave, parental leave return-to-work payments and improved access to higher duties allowance. Roster guidelines will now include a sleep period after night duty. Reimbursement for annual practising certificates will increase to $100 from March 1, 2010.

Report by co-ordinating organiser Carol Gilmour