Bid to stop strike in Auckland hospitals

By MATHEW DEARNALEY

The Auckland District Health Board has called in a mediator to head off a potentially crippling strike by orderlies and kitchen staff.

And it has defended the quality of hospital meals against union criticism.

Unions representing about 240 workers have given 14 days' notice of a 48-hour strike from Thursday, July 18, at four hospitals - Auckland, Starship children's, Green Lane and National Women's.

They are angry at a 2 per cent pay rise offer.



Service and Food Workers' Union organiser Paul McFarland says the board is "scapegoating" its lowest-paid and most vulnerable staff in a bid to control a budget deficit of up to $86 million.

"While we don't resent other hospital workers getting a decent pay increase ... we do believe the orderlies and kitchen staff are just as worthy of an increase."

Health board spokeswoman Brenda Saunders said the board was disappointed at finding out about the strike from a Herald report, but hoped to avert the strike through mediated talks, which are expected to start on Monday.

She also said food staff were upset by a suggestion by National Distribution Union organiser Solly Southwood, representing some of the orderlies, that meals were reheated "into slush" after being cooked in a centralised kitchen, then chilled for delivery to wards.

He made the comment in support of a claim that staff were concerned that their work might be contracted out because of problems with the system.

Ms Saunders said it was too early to disclose contingency plans, as the board was trying to set up mediation to head off a strike.

"But rest assured, we will be looking after our patients," she said.

Mr McFarland said his co-advocate was a strong supporter of the kitchen staff and was confident he meant them no disrespect with his reheated food comment.

He denied the workers were too quick off the mark with industrial action.

Their strike vote came followed an impasse reached after three days of negotiations, which the board had delayed until almost the expiry of their previous collective agreement.