Nurses near end of pay deal vote, outcome uncertain

Hospital nurses are nearing the end of meetings and voting on a proposed pay deal with their employers. District health boards have offered nurses and midwives two pay rises of two percent, a lump-sum payment, pay equity from mid next year and more action towards better staffing. Nurses began voting on the proposal on March 6 and that process will finish on Friday, with a decision to be announced on Monday. Some nurses say it's not clear whether they will approve the deal or not, which could result in a strike ballot. One nurse spoke to RNZ health correspondent Karen Brown about her worries.