Sally Furniss
Well-known member
Extra pay sought during flu epidemic
06 June 2006
Clerical workers at district health boards want extra pay and a day in lieu if they are expected to work during a flu pandemic.
The National Union of Public Employees has asked politicians to consider giving health staff statutory holiday conditions, including being paid at time and a half, if they are called on to work during an outbreak of deadly influenza.
Submissions on the Law Reform (Epidemic Preparedness) Bill close today. The bill proposes changes to a range of existing laws to give authorities extra powers during such a bird flu, or other, epidemic.
Police would have the power to detain people for medical tests and treatment and there would be clearer rules for quarantining patients and tougher checks on passengers at airports during an epidemic or pandemic.
Union organiser Martin Cooney said employers would be able to put employees on leave without two weeks' notice if an epidemic was declared.
Health workers could find their cars or other property requisitioned to deliver supplies or transport patients.
Staff most likely to be affected by this were the non-clinical information services and clerical staff, Mr Cooney said.
"These staff understand that the community needs them to come into work in a pandemic and they are prepared to do so. They also realise that once at work they may not be able to return home for some time if a quarantine or isolation area is declared."
They were the lowest paid workers in public hospitals, however, and were asking why they were on "the pandemic front line" yet at the back of the queue for pay rises, Mr Cooney said.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3690964a7144,00.html
06 June 2006
Clerical workers at district health boards want extra pay and a day in lieu if they are expected to work during a flu pandemic.
The National Union of Public Employees has asked politicians to consider giving health staff statutory holiday conditions, including being paid at time and a half, if they are called on to work during an outbreak of deadly influenza.
Submissions on the Law Reform (Epidemic Preparedness) Bill close today. The bill proposes changes to a range of existing laws to give authorities extra powers during such a bird flu, or other, epidemic.
Police would have the power to detain people for medical tests and treatment and there would be clearer rules for quarantining patients and tougher checks on passengers at airports during an epidemic or pandemic.
Union organiser Martin Cooney said employers would be able to put employees on leave without two weeks' notice if an epidemic was declared.
Health workers could find their cars or other property requisitioned to deliver supplies or transport patients.
Staff most likely to be affected by this were the non-clinical information services and clerical staff, Mr Cooney said.
"These staff understand that the community needs them to come into work in a pandemic and they are prepared to do so. They also realise that once at work they may not be able to return home for some time if a quarantine or isolation area is declared."
They were the lowest paid workers in public hospitals, however, and were asking why they were on "the pandemic front line" yet at the back of the queue for pay rises, Mr Cooney said.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3690964a7144,00.html