Nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants will be attending mediation with employers today.

They are locked in unresolved negotiations over their DHB multi-employer collective agreement.

Negotiations have been ongoing since July 2017 but they have not been able to reach agreement.

Nurses are seeking a contract that they see as valuing them and providing sufficient assurance urgent action will be taken to address unsafe staffing.

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation launched a petition in support of its members and is asking the public to sign it. So far over 13,500 people have signed.

Nurses Organisation Industrial Adviser Lesley Harry said they know the public will want to support them as they go into mediation to try and achieve a resolution.