Mental health nurses vote for six-day strike

4.00pm - By MARTIN JOHNSTON, health reporter

Mental health nurses have voted to start six days of strike action tomorrow at three North Island district health boards.

The 350 nurses, represented by the Public Service Association, want greater improvements in pay and conditions than offered by the Waikato, Lakes and Bay of Plenty boards.

The action starts at 3am.

Association organiser Ron Berry said this afternoon the nurses had to put up with difficult working conditions.

They included excessive numbers of patients, the increased risks of patients commonly using methamphetamine drugs, and a rising number of assaults.

These problems contributed to difficulties recruiting and retaining staff for a workforce in which the average age was rising.

The association wants a small increase in annual leave, two pay rises each of 3.4 per cent over a 25-month term, and a $2000 allowance to recognise the stresses, recruitment problems and the experience needed to work as a mental health nurse.

Mr Berry said the boards had offered varying pay rises ranging from 2.2 per cent to 8.8 per cent for 33 months. The higher end of the offer applied only to a few staff.

The boards have developed contingency plans to provide cover during the strikes.