Allied Health workers reject offer

PSA Allied Health workers at Midcentral, Palmerston North have rejected the latest offer made by the DHB and have agreed to escalate their current industrial action from Monday, October 21, PSA spokesperson John Shennan said today.

“In the meantime they will continue to withdraw their goodwill, will work to rule and withhold statistics. The escalated action from 21 October will involve withdrawal of therapy services for all medical and rehabilitation patients except oncology patients for two weeks continuously, and from Monday, November 4 withdrawal of therapy services for all surgical and orthopaedic patients except oncology patients for two weeks continuously.”

John Shennan said therapy members regret any negative impact this action will have on patients but feel compelled to continue their struggle to have ongoing recruitment and retention issues addressed. They have been concerned about the safety of their professional practice at times when they have had to cover staff vacancies for prolonged periods.

“Our members are health care professionals who provide a quality health service. There are, however, insufficient numbers of therapists employed at Midcentral and the only way to attract and retain extra staff is through paying them more.”

John Shennan said the PSA health therapists feel strongly they need to continue their stand over pay and conditions now for the long term as well as trying to address immediate shortages. The public health sector pay rates for therapists have traditionally fallen behind other sectors but the gap is widening.

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