Court action stopping aged care worker pay rise

Healthcare unions are frustrated over the actions of a major health care provider who they say is attempting to put a stop to pay increases for their lowest paid workers in the aged care sector.

Health Care Providers New Zealand (HCPNZ) is seeking an interim injunction in the High Court in Wellington tomorrow against a pay increase to their staff from funds allocated to aged-care workers in this year's budget.

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) and the Service and Food Workers Union (SFWU) say they have had a good response from other employers in the sector and are currently considering offers from four organisations.

But the court action had the potential to slow the process, NZNO spokeswoman Cee Payne-Harker said.

She said it was disappointing some providers had chosen to take the funding and then challenge the obligations that came with it.

Council of Trade Unions (CTU) spokeswoman Carol Beaumont said they were concerned about the legal actions HCPNZ was intending to take.

"These are some of the lowest paid workers in the country and it is shameful that HCPNZ has instigated a process that is getting in the way of workers getting this funding increase."

The proposed collective agreement with the country's DHBs would see a minimum rate of pay of $12.55 per hour and all caregivers and service workers would get a $1 per hour wage increase.

SFWU national secretary John Ryall said it was the biggest one-off increase the workers would have received in the last 20 years.

"This is directly due to the increased Government funding targeted to these low-paid workers."

No one from HCPNZ was available for comment.