Talks resume to avert junior doctors' strike

Talks have resumed to avert a nationwide strike by junior doctors after the district health boards' chief negotiator was earlier delayed by Auckland's traffic chaos.

More than 300 sets of traffic lights stopped operating in downtown Auckland today during a four-hour power outage, compounding transport chaos caused by bad weather throughout the country.

Representatives from the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) and the DHBs, led by Nigel Murray, are holding last-ditch negotiations in Auckland today and tomorrow ahead of a five-day strike by 2500 junior doctors from Thursday.

Both sides agree that young doctors' working conditions need improving, but the union wants immediate action, while the employers have suggested forming another committee to discuss the issue further.

RDA general secretary Deborah Powell said the two groups were now working through their respective mediators to progress negotiations.

If the action goes ahead, it will be the first national strike by junior doctors affecting more than 10,000 patients and likely to force the cancellation of all but emergency care.

- NZPA