Lab Workers Action Disappointing

Lab Workers Action Disappointing

District Health Boards are disappointed the first response to the Lab Workers Pay offer is notice of a strike.

DHB Spokesperson Gordon Davies, CEO of Canterbury DHB, says DHBs have been negotiating with the Medical Laboratory Workers since April and made several offers.

“We’ve had 16 days of negotiations since April. The last time we met was in August where DHBs table an offer of 5.4% for two years. The Union took the offer back to its members and the strike notice is the first official response we’ve had.

“The Lab Workers’ claim would cost DHBs 20% because of the increase that would be applied to current penal rates and allowances.

“The health system operates around the clock but hospitals are severely penalised for working outside normal business hours. We’ve tried to re-organise the way we work but the union has rejected every proposal we make without discussing or offering alternatives.”

Mr Davies says DHBs have offered Lab Workers is a scale from $40,000 – $80,000 which is line with other scientists and technologists working in health.

He says lab services are an integral part of diagnostic services and the strike will have a significant impact on hospital services around the country.

“Demanding more money and holding services to ransom without addressing the underlying issues is not negotiation.”

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