MEDIA STATEMENT
10 NOVEMBER, 2006

Lets get back to the table

DHBs involved in the strike by Medical Radiation Technologists are calling on the Union to return to negotiations.

“I’m encouraged to hear the union say there is enough money in our offer to do a deal,” DHB spokesman and CEO of Hutt Valley DHB, Chai Chuah, said. “We’ll be happy to discuss different ways of packaging it to get a settlement.”

Chai Chuah, says he is surprised to hear the union suggest that the DHBs walked away from the talks that collapsed last night.

“I don’t think anyone believes DHBs would walk away from the table if there was any chance of preventing a strike that will have a significant impact on our patients and our hospitals.

“Given that the union says there is enough money on the table to do the deal, we strongly urge the union to lift the strike. We want to hear the union’s ideas. We can’t do that if the union won’t return to the table.”

MRTs at seven DHBs - Southland, Otago, Hutt Valley, Lakes (Rotorua), and Bay of Plenty – have stopped work for 10 days. Canterbury will be affected for nine days and Tairawhiti (Gisborne) for five days.

Ends

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