The New Zealand Nurses’ Organisation and district health boards met in Wellington yesterday to discuss a fifth offer.
NZNO spokeswoman Karen Coltman said delegates were exploring options to settle the current employment negotiations for the DHB Multi-Employer Collective Agreement for midwives and nurses.
“NZNO and DHBs are focused on reaching a settlement through bargaining.”
The parties would meet for further negotiations next Tuesday, July 24.
The NZNO and district health boards have refused to comment further until next week’s meeting.
The latest offer, worth $500 million, would have ensured a pay rise for all nurses of at least 9.5% in the next year, and senior staff promised even more.
But NZNO members voted to reject the offer and strike. More than 8000 nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants walked off the job for 24 hours from 7am on July 12.
They are holding out for a greater pay increase and faster progress on hiring more nurses to alleviate what they say are chronic staff shortages.
