Thousands to walk off the job after notices issued to Auckland DHBs

The Public Service Association has today sent strike notices to the three Auckland District Health Boards over the failure to settle a new collective agreement.

These give notice of a full withdrawal of labour on the 8th of April from 10am to 2pm.

More than 3000 PSA members in the allied, technical and scientific areas are covered by the agreement.

"The DHBs want to extend services from five days a week to seven, and fund them by reducing wages for new staff," PSA National Secretary Erin Polaczuk says.

"We know the DHBs are struggling to make ends meet, after revelations about the $1.7 billion missing from New Zealand’s health system.

"But they shouldn’t try to fix those problems by short-changing our members, who are already overworked and at breaking point.

"Strikes are always a last resort, but we’ve been left with no other option."

The DHBs have applied to the Employment Relations Authority for facilitated bargaining, and the PSA is not opposed to this.

But Ms Polaczuk says the strike action will go ahead regardless.

She remains hopeful that Health minister Jonathan Coleman will intervene.

"We are trying every possible means to resolve this dispute, and if the DHBs’ main concern is around funding then we believe Dr Coleman can help.

"Aucklanders deserve quality care every day, and the Minister can and should step in."

ENDS

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