CDHB Health Workers Support Clinical Psychologists

Monday 16 May 2005

CDHB Health Workers Support Clinical Psychologists

“CDHB health workers will rally at lunchtime tomorrow (Tuesday 17th May) outside the Labour Party Chritchurch office in support of Clinical Psychologists working for the Capital Coast and Hutt Valley District Health Boards who face 40% pay cuts for undertaking low level industrial action,” said Nadine Marshall, Secretary of the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE) today.

“Clinical Psychologists are negotiating for catch-up pay increases in line with Doctors and Nurses who have already obtained deserved and substantial increases. NUPE is also claiming a 30% catch-up for around 700 Canterbury health workers covered by the Union at Burwood, Christchurch, Hillmorton and Princess Margaret Hospitals, as well as NGOs like Brackenridge Estate,” said Nadine Marshall.

“Our argument is with the Government rather than the Boards,” said Nadine Marshall. “This week’s budget needs to put the funds in to pay the 30% catch-up for all health workers. The surplus is as high as it is, in part, because health sector workers are so underpaid.”

“The Government wants health workers to be distracted into battles with their own Health Boards and the Capital Coast and Hutt Valley District Health Boards seem happy to put the axe into their own workers,” said Nadine Marshall. “NUPE intends keeping the pressure on the Government instead.”

ENDS

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