DHB staff call off industrial action

Photo / NZ Herald

Nearly 12,000 unionised health workers have called off industrial action after reaching a settlement over pay.

Staff at district health boards (DHBs) throughout the country had planned to take industrial action after the Public Service Association (PSA) turned down what it called an "insulting" pay offer.

But the parties today said they had reached a settlement after making progress in mediation. Neither party disclosed the details of the settlement.

PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said he was pleased the union had managed to negotiate an improved offer from the DHBs.

"This new offer will mean more money in the pocket for our hard-working members, and real progress on some of their other key issues.

"Our members take patient care seriously, so the DHB agreement to increase engagement on learning and development is particularly welcome to improve the standard of care."

The new offer would now be discussed and voted on by PSA members at meetings across the country.

Mr Wagstaff said industrial action had been a last resort after months of bargaining.

"And we are pleased sufficient progress has been made that we can take that option off the table."

The DHBs said they were pleased to reach a settlement on five collective agreements covering 12,000 staff nationwide.

Employment relations strategy group chairman, Graham Dyer, who is also chief executive of Hutt and Wairarapa DHBs, said the mediation had been professional and constructive.

"Our employees will now be consulted on the settlement and we hope they vote in favour."

Mr Dyer said no details of the settlement would be released while PSA was informing its members.

Staff covered by the settlement include mental and public health nurses, physiotherapists, anaesthetic technicians, dental therapists, administrative staff and a number of other occupational groups.

The industrial action had been planned to start at the end of this month with staff working to rule, followed by a two-hour strike on September 2 and a three-hour strike a week later.