Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

News Video | Policy | GPs | Hospitals | Medical | Mental Health | Welfare | Search

 

APEX won't take offer to members; strikes continue

20 District Health Boards


Media Release

12 November 2010


APEX refuses to take offer to members; strikes to continue


Medical radiation technologists (MRTs) are to continue strike action for at least another week while they think about whether or not to even consider a new offer from DHBs.

The DHBs have spent three days this week in negotiations with APEX, the union representing medical radiation technologists (MRTs).

“Good progress was made yesterday with the parties coming closer to agreement,” says Karen Roach, DHB spokesperson. “The DHBs have said they are prepared to make another offer to settle the collective agreement but have asked the union to stop strike action while the members consider this offer.

“But the union advocate, Dr Deborah Powell, says today that she does not have the mandate to lift strike action whilst her members consider the DHB offer. This is just a nonsense, as Dr Powell said yesterday that strikes could be lifted after a few seconds’ discussion with her bargaining team.”

Negotiations will be delayed by a week while the union consults with its members on whether they are prepared to cease strike action while they ratify the proposed DHB offer. If the union members agree that strike action will cease, then the DHBs will make a formal offer.

“This is the first time that the DHBs have made a request like this since strike action started in July. APEX has continued with its industrial action through the negotiations – this morning adding further notices to the hundreds DHBs have already received. We are now up to 765 notices of industrial action.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“DHBs have been negotiating for 14 months. The issues between the parties have been discussed many times, both at the bargaiing table and outside formal meetings. The union has been presented with six different offers in that time.”

DHBs have done everything possible to prioritise claims the union had said were important to its members – within what they could afford. Until very recently, APEX has persisted in demanding a settlement considerably higher than has already been agreed with over 90 percent of unionised health sector employees – including nursing and allied/ technical/scientific employees.

The DHBs accept that APEX identified a costing error related to on-call provisions on 9 November. “And we immediately put the money back in to the deal – the union has obviously not taken costing seriouisly as they had this information since August and have not raised the issue until now.”

The DHBs hope that the union membership response is a positive one. “Patients and other health sector staff will both be relieved when strike action is lifted.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Culture Headlines | Health Headlines | Education Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • CULTURE
  • HEALTH
  • EDUCATION
 
 
  • Wellington
  • Christchurch
  • Auckland
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.