DHBs criticised by doctors’ union
District health boards (DHBs) are being accused of intentionally dragging out collective agreement negotiations with junior doctors – a claim strongly disputed by the hospital administrators.
The claim was among a host of issues that have come to light as members of the country’s largest junior doctors’ union, the New Zealand Resident Doctors’ Association (NZRDA), embarked on a 48-hour national strike. Doctors and their DHB employers have failed to find common ground over the terms of the doctors’ Multi-Employment Collective Agreement (Meca) that expired in February last year.
NZRDA national president and Hutt Hospital registrar Dr Courtney Brown said that while negotiations officially began early last year, the health boards didn’t table their list of claims until September.
This was the first time NZRDA was made aware of the DHBs’ intentions to claw back rostering gains inked in the last Meca – a crucial issue for striking doctors.
‘‘I have been part of the bargaining team and I have found the process immensely frustrating . . . with regards to stalling, it feels very much like that.
‘‘On a number of occasions, bargaining has been delayed at the request of the DHBs, not at the request of us.’’
Brown said a number of junior doctors received text messages, calls and emails from DHB management asking them whether they were union members and whether they intended to strike.
‘‘A number of our members have found this threatening and intimidating. Being asked directly by management whether you are going to be at work or exercise your right to strike, it’s a really difficult situation to put people in,’’ Brown said.
‘‘The NZRDA office has intervened and communicated directly with the DHBs on a number of occasions about their communication with members.’’
The DHBs, which provide critical training opportunities for fledgling doctors, have been criticised for failing to meaningfully engage in contract discussions until the 11th hour, when it became clear doctors were prepared to strike.
However, DHBs spokesman Dr Peter Bramley has strongly rejected the union’s claims.
‘‘DHBs believe they have acted in the utmost good faith in all of their dealings with the Resident Doctors’ Association, including a year of negotiations, starting in February, 2018.
‘‘The DHBs strongly reject any claims to the contrary and will continue to bargain in good faith,’’ Bramley said.