Hospital workers face five-month wait for pay rise ahead of Christmas

Some of New Zealand's lowest-paid hospital workers are facing a five-month wait for an agreed pay increase, leaving many facing a tough Christmas. The 2.5% pay rise and $1000 lump sum payment, agreed to following union negotiations, are not expected to reach workers' bank accounts until the end of January next year. Health New Zealand said the delay was due to a processing backlog involving 34 other collective agreements signed before theirs. Among those affected by the delay was Christchurch Hospital orderly Tony Knight, 73, who had worked at the hospital for 34 years. "I love my job. Helping the sick, just looking after people really. It's been a great job," he told 1News. Knight said orderlies, cleaners, kitchen staff and security workers took pride in their roles. "I feel like we're the backbone of the hospital," he said.