External help sought to resolve health dispute

Media Release

External help sought to resolve health dispute

The Public Service Association is seeking assistance from the Department of Labour’s mediation service in an attempt to resolve a pay dispute between 1300 clerical and administration staff at seven District Health Boards in the lower North Island.

“Administration and clerical staff in District Health Boards are the backbone of our public health system and need to be recognised for the important work they do in making hospitals function properly,” said PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff.

The DHBs have offered 2.93% in the first year and 2.4 percent in the second. The union is seeking a pay increase that takes into account increases in the consumer price index.

“These workers are amongst the lowest paid in the DHBs and deserve a pay offer which takes into account their value to the health system and increases in the cost of living faced by these people,” said Richard Wagstaff.

Mediation is scheduled to take place on 27 November 2006 in Wellington. The PSA is New Zealand’s largest union and represents over 55,000 members in health, central and local government and in community services.

ENDS

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