Union refuses to do what’s needed to avoid strike

Union refuses to do what’s needed to avoid strike

District Health Boards have reiterated their willingness to meet Apex, the union representing medical radiation technologists.

“DHBs have repeatedly told the union that we will meet,” says Karen Roach, spokesperson for the DHBs. “We have asked the union to submit a proposal for settlement that shows it understands the DHBs’ interests around affordability.

“Once we have received its written proposal – and have had a chance to consider it and do any work that might be needed before engaging the full bargaining teams – we have told them we are happy to meet. But the union has failed to engage in this process.”

MRTs are to stage a 48-hour strike next week, citing DHBs’ refusal to meet to resolve the dispute as a key factor.

“As the union well knows, we are waiting for their proposal,” says Karen Roach. “The DHBs have made five offers to settle the collective agreement, trying to find ways to prioritise the union’s claims within the funding available. This deal could have been settled months ago if they had accepted the offer that 90 per cent of the sector has already accepted.

“So far we have had nearly 700 notices of industrial action from this union, which has consistently failed to show that it understand DHBs’ concerns around fairness and affordability. We are prepared to invest time and effort to come to the table when we are confident that the union understands the issues that are important to us. So far the union has refused to do the work necessary.”

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