Occupational nurses get wage rise

Press, 23 February 1985, Page 9

Occupational nurses get wage rise

A small group of about 200 occupational nurses, mainly women, who work for private companies in the main centres have won a wage increase of up to 13.8 per cent, well above the Government wage guideline of 4.5 per cent and the general level of wage rises of 6.5 to 7.02 per cent. Their award was settled after a day of talks in Christchurch. The award was negotiated by the Nurses’ Union. Its advocate, Mr Derek Best, said that the increases ranged from 8.1 per cent to 13.8 per cent, the majority getting between 9.2 per cent and 13.8 per cent. The increases will take

effect from March 1 and the award term is 14 months. Mr Best said that about half the nurses in the group would get an increase of 13.8 per cent, which equated to a rise of about 10 or 11 per cent for a 10-month term.

The Government guideline bad been discussed at the conciliation hearing but it had not prevented the settlement.

“The union is pleased that the employers were persuaded, at least in part, of the value and contribution occupational health nurses play in the successful opera-

tion of any enterprise,” Mr Best- said.

“Although only a small group numerically their impact, in terms of total workforce productivity, industrial harmony and worker health and safety, is immense,” he said.

The higher wage increase came about partly because of the inclusion of an extra step in the classifications, after five years of service. The new maximum award rate is about $340 a week gross.

Mr Best said that occupational health nurses used to be little more than first-aid givers, but over the last few years they had acquired a much higher profile and now offered a far more comprehensive service. Qualifications were being obtained which were not available previously, and employers recognised this.