Health Minister Andrew Little. Credit: Wikimedia

The Public Service Association (PSA) and District Health Boards (DHBs) have announced an initial agreement for pay equity for clerical and administration staff.

The agreement is an important step toward better, fairer pay for this crucial and largely female workforce, health minister Andrew Little said. “The DHB clerical and administration workforce makes an important contribution to provision of health services to New Zealanders. It’s unacceptable their work has been undervalued for so long simply because it was predominantly performed by women."

If ratified, the agreement will provide an immediate pay lift of up to $2,500 per annum for thousands of women and some men working in the sector. Detailed work in coming months will result in further pay increases for many.