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Wellbeing – more important than ever

Wellbeing should be important for us all and it is often the first thing that goes to the bottom of the list when we are busy working RMOs juggling exams and family commitments. As is often the story, when it feels like the health system is falling down around us, we tend to enthral ourselves in staying late or starting early to help the wheels keep turning, but actually our wellbeing should be the first thing we start our day focussing on.Everyone is working so hard, and we have had real people...

Te Whatu Ora – Overspending? Or Underfunding?

As we know, the changes to Te Whatu Ora Budget settings are having a big impact on the system and our ability to work and train. Since the change of government and the appointment of a commissioner we have been told time and time again that Te Whatu Ora has overspent and that we need to save money.Unions have been asking for the data to back up these statements for some time, yet nothing has been forthcoming. The health unions collectively wrote to Te Whatu Ora outlining our concerns and that we...

National Manual updated

The National Manual is a great tool, and it's available for everyone to access.Why was the National Manual created?Created after settlement of STONZ first collective agreement, the purpose of the National Manual was to document the agreed national processes, procedures and resources for the deployment and administrative support of Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) at the (then) 20 District Health Boards (DHBs).Who uses it?RMO Units regularly refer to the manual to assist their work supporting/ros...

May 2024 Workforce Survey

In June we wrote and provided some high-level feedback following our members input in our last survey. Thanks to all your feedback we are continuing to take an evidence-based position on a couple of issues related to these matters. The first was getting a guarantee from the Minister that any attempt by Te Whatu Ora to cut costs at the expense of our members would be rejected which we have included the response to earlier in our newsletter. The second has been the reversal of an attempt by Te Wha...

Are you receiving your 6% superannuation entitlements?

Are you getting the most from your KiwiSaver and Retirement Savings schemes?STONZ has partnered with MAS to promote to our members a reputable source of financial advice.  Check out their page on our website and read more below.     As an RMO employed by Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand under STONZ SECA, you are eligible for a matching 6% superannuation contribution on top of your regular salary, per clause 12.6. This matching contribution is a significant benefit ...

Research Representative – Expressions of Interest

After 2.5 years, Alex Boyle has stepped down from the Research Rep role and we’re now seeking Expressions of Interest (EoI’s) from Members keen to take on this voluntary role.We’re keen to hear from Members passionate about research that benefits RMOs throughout their training journey.  If you’re keen to know more about this role and STONZ research funding priorities, please follow these linksResearch Representative – Position ProfileResearch page on STONZ website  The p...

Holidays Act Remediation

As a bit of background, the Holidays Act 2003 covers pay and entitlements for employees in New Zealand about all types of leave and public holidays. For those employees who work shift work, variable days and hours, or with flexible work patterns including RMOs, calculating holiday pay has been more complex.This has resulted in widespread non-compliance. Essentially, employers (not just limited to DHBs/Te Whatu Ora) have unintentionally been underpaying or overpaying staff what they’re entitled...

Time to Raglan and Relax (An Unyoked Escape)

I had the pleasure of visiting one of the unyoked cabins for a weekend away recently. It was meant to be a surprise weekend away for my husband but note to self…when husband says he will put leave in 6 months earlier don’t trust him. A family weekend away turned into a solo trip with my 1 year old! He will never live that mistake down now that it’s documented in print! We had the pleasure of going to Marama, one of the 3 unyoked cabins overlooking Raglan. A quick 50min drive from Hami...

de-mystifying the new STONZ SECA

We had a huge response to the vote with 84.5% of members voting in favour and based on our survey data it meant that 97% of members received a pay rise and 90% received a pay rise of 14% or higher in the first year, with an average of 18% over the 2-year term.We absolutely recognise that for a small number of members, it did represent a zero-pay increase and where this has occurred, we negotiated an income protection clause. The changes made now mean that the new salary scales can be broken down...

Introducing our Delegate Reps & Project Roles

Following applications in October/November 2023, the appointment process has concluded, and we are delighted to announce the four members appointed to these invited roles are:Delegate Reps: Brad Atkinson and Dale AndrewProject Rep - Non-Training: Anika RadojkovichProject Rep - House Officer: Maria NonisBrad Atkinson:Hi, I’m Brad, a PGY4 Non-Training Orthopaedic Registrar based in Whangarei Hospital that will be in the role of Delegate Representative for 2024. I chose to join STONZ as a Trainee...

Membership fees

For the first time since we began in 2018 our Membership fees are increasing.As is the case for all businesses, cost pressures have increased dramatically, and this is no different for STONZ. We need to ensure we have the ability to continue advocating for and supporting our members through the years ahead.That is why for the first time since STONZ began in 2018 we are increasing the membership fee.  We have put this off as long as possible, however in order to continue to operate at the de...

Unyoked

Amy G Dala.What? Oh, sorry, that's right... awkward cough ...we mean:Amygdala.Yes. It's part of your brain. No, it has nothing to do with anyone called Amy. Unless your name is Amy...in which case - Amy, it's part of your brain.More accurately, it's an almond-shaped structure that's part of your limbic system and it plays a primary role in emotional responses such as fear, anxiety and aggression (aka "stress").So, why are we going all Dougie Howser on you on a Thursday morning?Because increasing...

Union membership - demystifying changing unions and SECAs

Our team get a lot of questions about the rules around when RMOs can change union membership and/or collective agreement (SECA) terms & conditions (T&Cs) that you are covered by. Below we share information and a flowchart to help demystify the process and terms involved.The first thing to note, is that the ability to change union and/or your terms and conditions is outlined by the Employment Relations Act, rather than something in our Collective Agreement.When can I change union?  A...

Unyoked x STONZ 5th Birthday Giveaway

We don’t want to alarm you but… it is December. Officially.The shops have been ready since October, Mariah Carey has been unthawed to become our auditory overlord and the risk of end-of-year burnout is heightened.Sure, December is the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ but it’s also a fair bit of stress.As deadlines shorten, there's a frenzied rush to sign off on projects and suss out your admin before the year concludes, suddenly everything is urgent and important. Your calendar become...

How to invest when the world has changed

Large government and household debts, higher-for-longer interest rates, and rising geopolitical uncertainty are growing concerns for investment markets.Lofty valuations during the COVID era may have made sense in an environment with low inflation, low interest rates, and high corporate earnings. But now, the world has changed.Across the globe, while inflation has fallen from its peaks, it remains stubbornly above targets. Following aggressive rate hikes, central banks are now taking a more measu...

Standing in solidarity with Healthcare workers around the world

The STONZ Executive team are shocked by the events in the Middle East and the increasing loss of life and injuries inflicted on healthcare workers and civilians since 7 October 2023.The World Health Organization has documented multiple unacceptable attacks on healthcare workers, patients, and families in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel, resulting in fatalities, injuries and the destruction of critical healthcare infrastructure. Healthcare workers have died and have been injured while on duty.As ...

September Update

Kia ora koutou,We know the upcoming bargaining is on everyone’s minds, so we’ll start with an update there…The STONZ bargaining team has now had two days of pre-bargaining with Te Whatu Ora. This is classified as pre-bargaining because we are starting discussions before the formal bargaining period.All members should have received an update via email which includes more details of what was discussed. If you didn’t receive this, please check your ‘junk inbox’, or email support@stonz.c...

Upcoming Election & Promises on the campaign trail…

The election campaign period is in full swing, and health is one of the big issues parties are focusing on. And all this is happening as we engage in our negotiations with Te Whatu Ora. We’ve already started to make it clear to MPs and voters that RMO pay is a big issue this year with a great story in Newsroom prior to our first negotiation pre-meeting and a recent op-ed in NZ Doctor from Christina that outlines the issue women in medicine face - including pay.We know that there are many other...

STONZ in the News

STONZ have engaged with media ahead of bargaining to help build support and signal our issues. The first of these stories was published on Newsroom here, and resulted in useful public statements by the Minister and Te Whatu Ora regarding pay expectations.STONZ Senior executive team member Christina Matthews has also recently published an opinion piece in New Zealand Doctor that you can read here. It is focused on the barriers women still face in medicine and underscores the role pay had in reduc...

Unyoked x STONZ Mental Health Awareness Week giveaway

In life, and especially in hospitals, we spend a lot of time reading signs. No parkingOpen/Closed AdmissionsTheatreIn patients OutpatientsWhen we see these signs, we adapt and change our approach accordingly.  (The Jury's out on parking signs though).The signs we struggle to recognise are often those first signs of burnout.Poor sleep Irritability AnxietyStruggling to focus Rather than adapt, when we experience these, we tend to do the opposite. We push them asi...

MCNZ Meeting Update

Kia ora Members,Earlier this week STONZ had the opportunity to present to Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa (MCNZ), alongside the NZRDA and ASMS. The invitational brief was to present our feedback on the workforce pipeline and training pathways. The council are a committed and deep-thinking group who were a privilege to meet. I am hopeful they took on board the concerns raised about the pipeline and areas for improvement that STONZ suggested. The major concerns I presented were that the pip...

STONZ and MAS working together to support RMOs

STONZ, a union advocating for and run by resident medical officers (RMOs), and MAS, a member-owned insurance and investment provider founded by doctors, have agreed to work together to support RMOs throughout New Zealand. By working together, MAS can help STONZ members to get ahead financially and protect what’s most important. STONZ and MAS will collaborate to ensure postgraduate doctors receive the advice they need to get on track financially early in their careers. Support will also be...

July Update

As we reflect on a huge first half of the year I want to thank everyone for hanging in there as we head further into winter! We know that as the winter bugs escalate, and our shortages are exacerbated, you will no doubt be stretched. It's a time to remind your peers and colleagues to make sure they’re getting out and about and are doing something to help with their wellbeing over the next few months – until the sun shines again!  One of our main focuses coming up is making our prep...

Introducing our new team member: Therese

Kia ora koutou,  I’m Therese, and I’m the new RMO Coordinator here at STONZ. I started at STONZ in May of this year as a fresh university graduate from UC with a bachelor’s degree in health sciences, majoring in Public Health. I completed internships at Kidney Health New Zealand and the Cancer Society and had previous experience as a research assistant.  After I graduated from university, my family and I packed our bags to go on a month-long excursion around my home country and t...

Pre-negotiation Survey Results

A big thank you to the 652 members who took the time to share their valuable insights and experiences. Your input provides us with a clearer understanding of the challenges and priorities that our members have ahead of going into contract negotiations, starting in September. Your voice and your feedback are key to our preparations, and the data from the survey is immensely helpful.Our support team has been hard at work, analysing and theming the survey response to identify key themes and areas o...