Pharmacy staff back strike as talks stall
We are hopeful of resolution, our hospital pharmacy team members are highly valued employees
Hilary Exton
Recruitment issues and delays in the agreement process have seen 11 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians employed by the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board vote for strike action.
A strike notice has been issued for a complete withdrawal of labour at Nelson Hospital and Wairau Hospital, in Blenheim, for the 24-hour period of Friday, November 16.
It is understood the strike is due to staff frustration over a failure by the health board to make any offer in settlement for their collective agreement, despite over a year of bargaining. Dr Deborah Powell, National Secretary of APEX – the union representing the pharmacists and pharmacy technicians - said there had been ongoing issues with recruitment and retention of pharmacy staff, especially at Wairau Hospital.
The situation was being replicated in other parts of the country, with rates of pay coming in much lower than community pharmacists in the private sector.
Powell said it was "disappointing" that members had yet to receive an offer in writing, despite APEX and the board beginning the process of negotiating the renewal of the now-expired collective agreement in November last year.
The failure of the board to make an offer in a timely manner had exacerbated the recruitment and staffing issues, Powell said, with pharmacist roles filled by technicians, due to a lack of pharmacist applications.
"In a small but essential group of workers such as this, the loss of even one staff member, let alone for a lengthy period of time, takes its toll on those remaining."
Director of Allied Health Hilary Exton confirmed the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board had received the strike notice.
She said it was "disappointing" not to have received any prior notice of intended industrial action, but would continue the bargaining process in good faith.
"We are hopeful of resolution - our hospital pharmacy team members are highlyvalued employees and we hope to find a solution that is satisfactory to both parties," Exton said.
Exton said contingency plans were being prepared ahead of the strike.
"This includes a Life Preserving Service plan that we would agree with the union to ensure the right staff remain available throughout any industrial action to ensure we continue to provide safe care for our hospital patients.
"While the recruitment of pharmacy staff can be a challenge for New Zealand regions in general, [the health board] currently has no vacancies for permanent positions."