Second radiographers' strike scheduled

A second radiographer's strike will go ahead tomorrow, with each side blaming the other for the failure to resolve the conflict.

Radiographers from seven district health boards were on strike for three days last week at 14 hospitals nationwide over disputes about pay and conditions.

The striking radiographers want to be paid the same as those working for the 14 other health boards.

Radiographers from Hutt Valley, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Canterbury, Otago and Southland district health boards are scheduled to strike tomorrow and on Thursday.

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

DHB spokesman Dwayne Crombie said the strikes could have been prevented had the radiographers' union Apex been prepared to compromise.

But Apex national secretary Deborah Powell said health boards had not indicated they wanted to return to talks, despite union negotiators making themselves available last Friday and today.

Dr Crombie said DHBs had agreed to pay the money demanded over 2-1/2 years, as paying the full amount immediately would mean a 15 per cent pay rise.

He said a formal offer that would meet union claims would be made if the union lifted the remaining strike notices and returned to the negotiating table.

"We're not going to negotiate with a gun to our head and it's time the union realised we won't bow to unreasonable demands."

Dr Powell said the estimated $2 million cost of the strike far outweighed the cost of meeting the union's demands for pay parity.

She said it was "unacceptable" for DHBs to expect radiographers to continue to receive less pay for doing the same job.

National Party health spokesman Tony Ryall said Health Minister Pete Hodgson should instruct DHBs to get back around the negotiating table with the union.

"By sitting on his hands and ignoring this crisis, Mr Hodgson is condoning the suffering of patients up and down the country," he said.

"The Government must instruct its DHB negotiators to go back to the table. It's not too late to avoid another week of disruption."

Mr Hodgson has called on DHBs and the unions to resolve the dispute, but has declined to get directly involved.

- NZPA