Health workers vote to take action at Otago DHB

PSA Media Release

Attention: Health and Industrial Reporters June 26, 2003

Health workers vote to take action at Otago District Health Board

PSA Allied health workers at Otago DHB have voted to take industrial action in support of a better offer to settle their expired Collective Agreement, PSA Organiser Rex Askerud said today.

Allied health workers, who are employed as technicians, social workers, dental, speech language, physio and occupational therapists, mental health and public health nurses, psychologists, engineers, health promoters and others, have agreed to ban all overtime, work to rule, not attend accreditation and service development meetings nor fill out forms and documentation.

Rex Askerud said the action will commence on July 10 and continue for an indefinite period.

“Negotiations for the Professional, Technical and Related Employees (PTR) Collective Agreement which expired in April 2003 resulted in a proposed settlement that does not meets the needs of members, which is why they have elected to take this action. They do not take this action lightly but feel strongly that their pay and conditions must be aligned with other health professionals across the country.”

“Our members are health care professionals who provide a quality health service to the Otago community. To continue doing this they need a quality job with appropriate pay and conditions which will attract and retain a quality health workforce in the region.”

Rex Askerud said the action was designed to send a clear message to the Otago DHB that the current offer needs significant improvement for this dispute to be resolved without impacting on patient safety.

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