The Meca DHB Agreement: What You Need to Know

The Meca DHB agreement is an important agreement that impacts the healthcare industry in New Zealand. It is an agreement between the District Health Boards (DHBs) and the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO). The agreement covers pay rates, working conditions, and other employment matters for nurses, midwives, and healthcare assistants who are employed by the DHBs.

One of the key aspects of the Meca DHB agreement is that it is a collective agreement. This means that it covers all nurses, midwives, and healthcare assistants who are employed by the DHBs, regardless of their individual contracts. The agreement sets out minimum standards for pay rates, working hours, and other employment matters, which all employees are entitled to.

The Meca DHB agreement is negotiated every few years between the DHBs and the NZNO. The most recent agreement, known as Meca 11, was negotiated in 2018 and covers the period from 1 December 2018 to 31 August 2020. The negotiations for the next agreement, Meca 12, are currently underway.

Some of the key provisions of the Meca DHB agreement include:

– Pay rates: The agreement sets out minimum pay rates for nurses, midwives, and healthcare assistants, based on their qualifications and years of experience. There are also provisions for pay increases over time, based on performance and other factors.

– Working hours: The agreement sets out minimum requirements for working hours, including maximum hours per week and minimum rest breaks. There are also provisions for overtime pay and other compensation for employees who work outside of their normal hours.

– Leave entitlements: The agreement sets out minimum entitlements for annual leave, sick leave, and other types of leave. There are also provisions for special leave, such as bereavement leave and domestic violence leave.

– Professional development: The agreement includes provisions for professional development opportunities for nurses, midwives, and healthcare assistants, including funding for courses and other training.

Overall, the Meca DHB agreement is an important agreement that helps to ensure that healthcare workers in New Zealand are treated fairly and have access to good pay rates, working conditions, and other employment benefits. As negotiations for the next agreement continue, it will be interesting to see how the agreement evolves to meet the changing needs of the healthcare industry in New Zealand.