“We look forward to sharing and discussing the details of this agreement at thought and staff meetings in the coming weeks, and we strongly encourage all workers to participate.” PSA national secretary Kerry Davies and DHB CEO Jim Green say the deal is the first step toward pay equity and is beginning to address the long-standing undervaluation of a large DHB workforce. “This is a huge performance that is made possible by the hard work and bold campaign of administrators and offices across New Zealand.” More details on the interim contract are downloaded here by DHB and BY PSA here. “In the meantime, there will be a temporary increase in salary rates for more than 8,500 DHB office and administrative employees. This is a step towards pay equity for a staff that is 92% female and historically undervalued. “The government`s commitment to tackling low wages has been crucial to achieving this outcome, as DHBs` administrative and office employees have always been among the lowest paid groups of workers. Green says ratification and implementation of the agreement is an extremely complex process. “This is a historic first step for DHB clerks and directors to receive the salary and respect they deserve,” says Davies. PSA members on the North Island have ratified new collective agreements after months of negotiations. “This regulation will make a major difference to a number of our members` standards of living and living, and it is great to finally have some recognition of our DHB administration and the office workers who play a vital role in the front line of service delivery in our hospitals.” Negotiations are also underway for our members of the South Island and Midlands office administration. We have been offered a tally of similar amounts for our members in those regions. Once this issue is resolved, more than 3,000 members and their families will be affected. An initial agreement was reached between the Public Utilities Association and the country`s 20 health agencies as part of negotiations on Clerical and Pay Equity. At the end of the reporting process, PSA members will vote on whether to accept the offer as a variation of their collective agreements. Note: In the North Island and North Island regions, M.M.A.M. have been offered to administrative and office employees, and two others – the MECA Midlands and South Island MECA – are still under negotiation.