We are still awaiting a copy of Te Whatu Ora’s (TWO) independent review of the Care and Support Worker Claim first tabled on 6 July 2022. That claim was under pressure to be completed within 12 months. We’re 15 months and counting. We’ve been promised a copy of the draft review report shortly and are keen to see if the reviewers have endorsed the approach taken by the employers and unions (which (after all) has followed the government’s process, or whether they will argue sections need to be re-done in order to drive down the undervaluation level. Otherwise, this claim is still pretty much stalled.
TWO have advised that they are giving until 26th January for feedback from the claim parties, meaning a final report isn’t likely before mid-February. Assuming TWO then gain Cabinet approval for a budget for the employers to negotiate with, that’s at least March. Then formal negotiations can commence between the employers and unions. My original bet was settlement by March. It’s looking more like April/May.
Meanwhile the unions have lodged the second claim against 167 employers. We are working through the steps necessary to ensure that claim progresses until we can consolidate (if that’s possible).
Employment Support
As mentioned previously, we are re-assembling the Employment Support Advisory Group. Their first meeting has been scheduled. One of the key areas I am keen for this group to explore is to get our review of the Employment Support MSD contract and service specification underway.
Funding
I’m afraid I have no good news here as we continue to seek more appropriate levels of funding from Whaikaha and other funders for the services you provide. We are pulling together a provider project to explore the cost of service across all service types and what support option gaps exist to achieve enabling good lives. More on this as it develops.
