Media Statement 5 April 2007

Media Statement 5 April 2007

MRTs Threaten More Strikes

District Health Boards are once again facing strike action by Medical Radiation Technologists who provide services such as X-rays, CT and MRI scans and ultrasound.

MRTs or radiographers at seven DHBs - Southland, Otago, Canterbury, Hutt Valley, Lakes (Rotorua), Tairawhiti (Gisborne) and Bay of Plenty - plan to take a range of strike activities across the DHBs between 17 to 23 April 2007.

"This action is incredibly disappointing when we are still in mediation," says DHB spokesman and CEO of Hutt Valley DHB, Chai Chuah.

"It's sad that the union's striking for consistent national rates when DHBs have just put forward a plan trying to combine several existing employment agreements into one single national agreement..

"Over the last 20 years differences have developed in pay around the country from the multiple employment agreements covering MRTs. It's clear that national consistency in rates will be hard to achieve while MRTs are covered by separate collective employment agreements.

"It's ironic that the union's claiming national consistency and they issue strike notice just as we lay out plans for achieving it. DHBs have initiated with the union a single national employment agreement. Under this proposal DHBs would like to address the long term workforce issues alongside pay issues.

Mr Chuah says the differences in rates around the country are too big to bridge in one go. "Our last offer was just over 12%. It would give all MRTs a pay rise within a year and get more than 80% of them to the rates they want in two and a half years."

"The union's claim is more than 20% - we appreciate the special circumstances for this group, but 20% in one go is totally unrealistic. Negotiation is about compromise and while DHBs have made a number of compromises, the union's position has not changed.

"We will do what we can to get a settlement and get the notice lifted, but it can't be at any price. If the strike goes ahead, doctors won't have x-rays and scans to help in diagnosis except in life threatening situations. As in previous strike we will also be seeking assistance from other DHBs and providers. Each hospital will have to start preparing to scale back services

"Patient safety is our priority and emergency services will be provided although elective surgery will be affected and outpatient clinics will be reduced to ensure patient numbers are as low as possible."

ENDS

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