Doctors may go out for a week if impasse continues
Striking doctors may walk off the job for a full week if a fourth 48-hour strike doesn’t break a stalemate.
Junior doctors kicked off a new strike yesterday morning, after months of ‘‘clawbacks’’ and failed negotiations with district health boards.
Talks have resumed, but the New Zealand Resident Doctors Association (NZRDA) says members have indicated they are willing to strike for up to one week if their terms are not accepted. The RDA has about 3000 members but it was unclear how many had taken strike action yesterday.
The union says it is fighting to hold on to the existing terms of the current collective agreement, which expires tomorrow.
RDA members are particularly concerned new terms would drop a safer working hours clause known as ‘‘schedule 10’’, which says no doctor covered by the agreement can work more than 10 consecutive days or four nights in a row. Many members say the clause has made a significant difference to the lives of resident doctors, ensuring they are not working while too tired.
DHBs spokesman Peter Bramley has said DHBs would continue to insist that local clinicians and hospital managers are able to make decisions about work rosters, not the RDA head office.
‘‘Our overarching objective remains the same – quality patient care that provides meaningful training for doctors in a safe working environment.’’
Christchurch resident doctor Anabelle McGowan said the strain of fighting the DHBs was taking a toll.
‘‘I’m pretty angry and upset it has come to this but . . . they’re playing hardball. We completely respect our senior colleagues for covering for us while we are on strike and supporting us but it’s taking a toll on them too. They are exhausted, they are tired.’’
The mother and senior house officer said she and many colleagues would be willing to strike for longer if they have to, but would have to ‘‘think long and hard about it’’.
‘‘[A week-long strike] hopefully would be effective but would be a huge financial stress. If I lost a week’s pay, I would struggle to pay the bills.’’
The action would be worthwhile to protect safer work hours. ‘‘I don’t want to be exhausted and making life and death decisions for people and that’s the reason we fought for our safer rosters, and the DHBs don’t like them.’’
Christchurch oncology registrar Alice Loft joined a picket line with colleagues opposite Christchurch Hospital and said she was frustrated and confused by the DHBs’ position. ‘‘The DHBs don’t seem to be really engaging in negotiations with our union or listening to our concerns and all we really want is the status quo.
‘‘I’m just a bit confused as to what the problem with that is,’’ Loft said.