DHBs new pay offer averts second strike

A proposed strike by 10,000 hospital workers has been called off after a new pay deal was offered by district health boards.

The Public Service Association (PSA), which is representing the workforce, is recommending members accept the new offer.

‘‘This afternoon, the DHBs have made a new offer to allied health workers,’’ PSA organiser Will Matthews said.

‘‘The bargaining team will take this to members for a vote, and will be recommending that members vote in favour.’’

Members will have two weeks to vote on the new offer.

‘‘The PSA is happy to comment after members have had an opportunity to see the details.’’

A collective pay agreement for about 10,000 allied, public health and technical health workers expired in October 2020 and negotiations have failed to secure a new one.

The workers are in a wide variety of hospital-based roles including sterile supply technicians, dental assistants, drug and alcohol counsellors, physiotherapists, psychologists and medical laboratory scientists.

But they have stayed united on their fight over a pay increase for the 19-month negotiations.

On Monday last week workers walked off the job for 24 hours as part of a two-week industrial action.

In the week during and prior to the strike, from May 9 to May 20, the health workers also took ‘‘work to rule’’ action, which meant they worked only their set hours and took all lunch and tea breaks.

The health boards put another offer to the workers on May 13, just days before the strike.

The PSA did not take this to members, saying it didn’t reflect recommendations made by the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) during facilitation, and duration of the would not address cost of living pressures.

Another ballot for further industrial action, including another 24-hour strike on July 1, went to members last Wednesday, with members voting overwhelmingly to take further action before yesterday’s deadline.

At the deadline on Tuesday the district health boards made a third formal offer, which the PSA agreed to recommend it to members.

Following the May 16 strike, Health Minister Andrew Little said the offer made on May 13 was still on the table – an increase of $5700 for most workers, and ‘‘a roughly $2500 lump sum payment’’.