Nurses nationwide strike over pay and patient safety

Summarised by Centrist

Over 36,000 nurses, midwives, and healthcare assistants are striking today, citing understaffing and inadequate pay as threats to patient care.

Nurses Organisation CEO Paul Goulter criticised Health NZ’s stalled negotiations, saying, “Patients will pay the price for hospitals that are continuously understaffed.” Union members oppose a proposed 1% wage increase and the pausing of a staffing programme. Health NZ insists patient safety remains the priority but regrets the strike’s early timing.

Read more over at RNZ