KEY POINTS:
The Service & Food Workers Union wants to see the books for the contractors embroiled in a pay dispute.
A strike by more than 3000 hospital support workers was called off at the last minute last night after district health boards made a 50c-an-hour increase in the pay offer.
Union bargaining co-ordinator Alastair Duncan says the union wants to see the books for the contractors, saying it is vital the union finds out how much the four contracting companies are being paid.
Mr Duncan says the union needs the DHB managers to agree to have a look at the calculations.
But the threat of strike action by members of the Service & Food Workers Union remains, pending further pay talks.
"It's a new offer; it's not a settlement offer," Duncan said. "It's sufficient for us to say we will continue mediation.
"The latest offer is an increase of 50c on the previous rate, lifting the entry-level rates to $13.60, with a top rate of $15.60.
"We now expect the lockouts by the contractors to be withdrawn so that further mediation can proceed as soon as possible."
The district health boards' spokesman, Craig Climo, said their new offer did not increase the overall cost of the proposed three-year deal. It had simply been repackaged to suit a union request, which would result in some staff progressing more slowly through the pay scale in the "out years" than they would have under the previous offer.
More than 2000 of the affected orderlies, kitchen staff, cleaners and other support workers are employed by private companies contracted to health boards; the rest are employed directly by the boards.
The contractors had planned to lock out striking workers because of the on-off nature of the intended action and to pressure the union to respond to employer claims, but last night lifted their lockout notices until the next strike notice takes effect on Monday.
The union says the support workers are at present paid between $11.25 an hour - the minimum wage - and $12.50. The boards say they typically pay service and food workers $12 to $13.
The union has also pushed for a single collective agreement covering all the employers. The boards have agreed to this, but the contractors have not wanted to be part of that arrangement.
Mr Duncan said although a settlement had not been reached, discussions had shown a way forward.
"For the first time we also have the possibility of auditing the DHBs' figures and this is an important development. Until now there has been far too much secrecy about what is, after all, public money.
"We will continue to prepare for possible industrial action if needed at a future date. In the meantime we look forward to consulting members on the best way to secure a full settlement."
additional reporting: NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB
