Offer now off the table, say DHBs

Offer now off the table, say DHBs 

After 14 months of negotiations, nearly 600 strike notices and five offers on the table, District Health Boards are calling it quits with APEX, the union representing medical radiation technologists (MRTs).

“Our offer of 20 August is available for acceptance until 5pm on Tuesday 19 October,” says DHB spokesperson, Karen Roach. “At that point we will presume that APEX members would prefer to take strike action rather than settle the agreement, so  the offer will be withdrawn.

“We have done everything possible to prioritise claims Deborah Powell  says are important to APEX members within what we can afford. But APEX is asking for a settlement with a cost that is 50 percent more than has already been agreed with over 90 percent of unionised health sector employees – including nursing and allied/ technical/scientific employees.”

DHBs have been negotiating with APEX since August 2009. The union has accepted aspects of the five proposals but continues to demand more and to change previously agreed positions. The union has been undertaking strike action since July. DHBs have continued to try and engage with APEX during this time, but apparently they believe they are worth more than most of their colleagues.

APEX members received a 3 percent increase in March 2009. DHBs have offered a 1 percent pay increase in April 2010 and a further 1 percent increase in October 2010 The union continues to makes extra demands that would push the total cost of the settlement to over 50 percent more than DHBs have available to settle.

 “We absolutely do not accept the statements from APEX that there is only $200,000 separating us.  Their claims amount to significantly to more than that.

“DHBs have made an offer that is at the limits of what we can afford. Our priority is to provide the best possible health care to the communities we serve under these conditions. We cannot agree to a settlement that is unaffordable,” says Karen Roach.

“We remain ready and willing to meet with APEX to explore settlement options, but after 19 October, this offer is off the table. DHBs have not found any particular recruitment or retention difficulties with this workforce that would warrant making them a special case.

“Most of their fellow health sector employees recognise the reality of the financial situation facing the sector. Why can’t this union?”

ENDS

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