Picketing in February.
Photo: RNZ/ LIBBY KIRKBY-MCLEOD
More than 850 laboratory scientists and technicians across the country have started seven days of strike action that causes delays to about 125,000 patients tests.
The demonstrations are in response to a 30 % salary difference between public and private services.
The strikes officially started on Saturday with warnings issued to three Awanui, Pathlab and MedLab corporate laboratory companies earlier this month.
More than 70 % of the city and the cities of New Zealand would lose access to medical laboratory tests to their public hospital, or primary care system, or both for at least 72 hours.
The New Zealand Medical Labor Workers Union says private employers need to “deepen” to achieve wages comparable to the public sector.
APEX National Secretary Dr. Deborah Powell, said Morning report Despite considerable profits, the private sector did not follow the public system,
“Liquid assets were launched in te what, but also what has now followed the cost of living increases better than private laboratories,” she said
“Unfortunately, private laboratories over the years have removed millions of dollars from these profit laboratories.
“But they have not made any availability available to increase workers’ salaries to track this type of dynamics change in the job market.
“We are too late to do exactly the same job and now our private laboratories are claiming poverty and looking for what sometimes prays to complete their budgets.”
Powell said the attacks would not put patients at risk.
“There are a large number of community laboratory tests, but there are also hospital laboratory tests.
“These corporate property laboratories also perform a significant number of these hospital laboratories.
“There will be tests in testing and some tests should be postponed next week.”
She said the situation was having an indirect effect.
“If you get a job at whatu sometimes, a scientist or coach will accept it.
“Why not for a 30 % wage increase.”
Workers unable to secure work in the public system were moving to Australia or leaving the industry completely, Powell said.
“We have a huge shortage of scientists and technicians who work in these laboratories.
“The remaining guys are taking the break.
“This is seeing them work scandalous hours, with two days in a row and their workload is also rising.
“It comes to a point where they will make a mistake and this makes work satisfaction quite low.”
In a statement, New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Dr. Peter Gootjes, said the providers were negotiating with Apex in Boa Fé and would continue to work with the government in resolving the dispute.
He said the closure of the 30 cents gap between public and private sector workers is not economical for private suppliers.
Gootjes said he sought a meeting with Health Minister Simeon Brown to inform him of the short and long term implications of the strike.
In a statement, Health New Zealand said it was not the employer of the private sector workforce and was not involved in the negotiation.
“Although strikes have varied impacts on health services on hospitals and communities, depending on the region, we want to reassure New Zealandes that an extensive contingency planning is underway to manage and minimize any impacts on the community hospitals and services of these private laboratory strikes.”
