On 12 August 2020 we will hold the inaugural MERAS national forum at the Quality Inn in Parnell, Auckland. The forum is open to all workplace representatives.
An important part of our union democracy, this will coincide with our MERAS 2020 Annual General Meeting to be held at the hotel conference venue on the evening of 11 August.
The forum is being run as an approved ERE course, “Democracy and Industry Economics”. The course aims to develop collective understanding of our union history (where we have come from) and to inspire active participation by MERAS members in strategies to enhance recognition of the midwifery profession in our workplaces, communities and the health sector (where we want to be).
2020 is a significant year for our union. We will be completing work on the Midwifery Accord and the Midwifery Pay Equity claim. We will be developing our bargaining strategy for the DHBs MECA, which will be underway by the end of the year.
2020 is also an Election Year. MERAS is actively involved in the Council of Trade Unions’ campaign to re-elect a progressive Government and this forum will be an opportunity for workplace reps to share ideas to maximise our members’ participation in the campaign.
Flights and accommodation for out-of-towners will be organised by MERAS. We will be encouraging car-pooling in the Northern Region from Taupo upwards. You will need to register by 1 June 2020. A form will be sent out to Workplace Reps once registrations open in May.