Radiographers, DHBs at impasse

The dispute between the union representing striking radiographers and their district health board employers remained tense yesterday, with neither side budging from its stance.

The radiographers, represented by Apex, went on strike for three days in seven DHB areas last week over disputes about pay and conditions and most staff plan to do the same today and on Thursday.

DHB spokesman Dwayne Crombie said the strikes could have been prevented if the union had been flexible.

"The union obviously hasn't heard the previous undertaking, so let me repeat it: Lift the strike notice and we will negotiate. Come to us with a proposal that signifies a move in position and we will meet to negotiate."

Radiographers from Hutt Valley, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Canterbury, Otago and Southland DHBs want to be paid the same as those working for the 14 other health boards.

Gisborne radiographers, already paid at the higher rate, went on strike last week because they wanted to be part of the collective agreement but will not take part in this week's strikes.

Dr Crombie said DHBs had agreed to pay the money demanded over 2 1/2 years as they couldn't pay it immediately.

"Fifteen per cent plus other conditions is too rich in anyone's language."

He said the union had used a "slow news weekend" to pump out misleading information to the media while avoiding the "real issues".

"We have never refused an opportunity for meaningful negotiations with this union to try and settle this dispute," Dr Crombie said. "We have made a significant compromise in our position [but] the union hasn't moved."

Apex national secretary Deborah Powell said Dr Crombie was talking as though he was in an industrial relations environment "from the last century", and she dismissed comments that the union was not prepared to negotiate.

"We negotiate all the time under the threat of industrial action," she said. "It's $1 million, the salary claim. We already know they've spent more than $2 million on the strike and yet we're getting all this rhetoric out of them."

Dr Powell said radiation therapists, also in the middle of employment disputes, were due to meet DHB representatives on Thursday.

- NZPA