DHB workers serve strike notice

September 6, 2007
Media Release

DHB workers serve strike notice

Sixty Christchurch District Health Board workers belonging to three unions have issued notice of a full week’s strike action after the DHB refused to address the chronic low pay in the sector.

The workers, who are members of the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union, the Building Trades Union and the Amalgamated Workers Union, provide maintenance services for the CDHB and have rejected a pay offer of 4.5% over eighteen months.

EPMU Director of Organising Ged O’Connell says workers at the DHB have had their wages eroded over the last few years.

“These workers have seen their wages go backwards year after year and now all they want is to catch up. People with twenty years’ experience are leaving because of the low wages and it’s got to the stage where the DHB is struggling to replace them and is having to use expensive contractors to fill the gaps.

“While four and a half percent might sound like a good deal it’s not that much when it’s spread over a year and a half and it does nothing to address the chronic low pay that’s become entrenched in the sector.

“Our members don’t like to strike, especially when they provide an essential service like this, but given the DHB’s refusal to address this issue they feel they have no other option.”

The strike action is due to start on September 17, and while emergency cover will be provided during the strike it is expected there will be some disruption to hospital services.

ENDS

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