Up to 200 non life-threatening medical appointments are affected at public hospitals around Northland each day radiographers are on strike.
About 40 radiographers employed by the Northland District Health Board at Whangārei, Bay of Islands, Kaitaia and Dargaville hospitals went on a 24-hour strike on Monday and a similar industrial action is planned for today.They are members of the Allied Scientific and Technical Union (APEX) and voted on the strike action after nine months of employment agreement negotiations failed to secure a settlement.
APEX said excellent progress was made towards reaching a settlement until June and negotiations have not gone well since.
The radiographers said relentless growth in demand for radiology services has outstripped the capacity of the existing DHB workforce to deliver them, resulting in serious recruitment and retention issues in multiple areas.
Northland DHB has been given notice of several impending strikes involving psychologists, radiographers and laboratory staff and has put together contingency plans to minimise disruptions.