A proposed multimillion-dollar settlement has been agreed that will lead to home support workers getting paid for the time they spend travelling between clients.
The move has been welcomed by unions and organisations in the sector, which have said it recognised the worth of health and disability workers.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said Cabinet had agreed to a $38 million a year settlement which would now go out to employees, home and community support service employers and district health boards for ratification.
If accepted, it would take effect from July 1 next year.
At the moment some workers were paid for in-between travel time while others were not, Mr Ryall said.
"This settlement will ensure workers are fairly and consistently paid for their travel costs in the future."
Labour Party Associate Health spokesman Iain Lees-Galloway said National had "reluctantly bowed to pressure" from unions over the payment.
"This decision is long overdue and the result of strong advocacy by the Service and Food Workers Union (SFWU) and Public Service Association (PSA)."
PSA spokesman Richard Wagstaff said the agreement was an important first step in recognising the worth of health and disability workers who supported more than 40,000 people to live independently in their homes.
SFWU spokesman Sam Jones said the process would result in better security of hours, a permanent workforce and better training and professional development for workers in the sector.
Healthcare of NZ spokesman Peter Hausmann said: "As the health sector continues to face a number of challenges due to an aging population and increased health needs, it is constructive that we have worked together strategically with the crown, providers and unions to reach a solution."
Home and Community Health Association chief executive Julie Haggie said the result showed a willing intent on the part of all parties to see about 24,000 support workers more fairly rewarded for their work.
"The other exciting element of the agreement is that it sets out a process for the regularisation of the workforce and for a comprehensive review of the home and community support sector."
Under the proposal, home support workers would be paid for the time taken to travel between clients, at the minimum wage rate, from July next year, and mileage of, at least, 50 cents per kilometre from March 1, 2016.
The case that sparked the offer:
The negotiations for the agreement, which began in April, were in response to a legal claim brought by the PSA against Healthcare of NZ for the payment of the minimum wage to its member Jenny Goodman for when she was travelling between clients' homes.
Ms Goodman's case was currently before the Employment Relations Authority.
But as part of the agreement, Ms Goodman's case would be withdrawn, provided the agreement is ratified by workers, District Health Boards, and employers in the home and community support sector.
"This agreement is a way forward for the sector, and takes some of the burden off the low-paid workforce," she said.
"I'm passionate about my work supporting clients to have the best possible lives, and I'm glad this work will be better recognised."
The commitment to move towards better security of hours, a permanent workforce and better training and professional development were especially welcome, Ms Goodman said.
"Paid travel time and consistent payment for the costs for using our own vehicles mean we will be better able to meet the costs of living.
By Rebecca Quilliam of APNZ
