Media release from Waikato District Health Board

Waikato District Health Board will not negotiate with members of the Unite Incorporated (Unite) union while they are either on strike or under notice of strike action.

Seventy-five attendants - 75 per cent of the total attendant staff at Waikato Hospital - are on strike from midnight Wednesday until midnight Friday.

The direct impacts on patients and the public will be minimal.  Waikato DHB has ensured all essential and urgent patient-related tasks will continue through the 48-hour period.

Waikato DHB employee relations manager Greg Peploe said claims from the union that Waikato DHB was in breach of the signed bargaining process agreement were incorrect.

"We don't believe there is any sign of bad faith. We'll sit down and talk when they withdraw their strike notices," he said.

"Their demands have not changed - we can not meet their demands. Attendants at Waikato Hospital have had annual step increases since July 2009 - that have increased an individual's annual salary by an average of more than 4 per cent."

Waikato DHB made an offer to the Unite union last year, which the union rejected.  Equally, Waikato DHB invited Unite to join discussions with other health sector unions within the Health Sector Relationship Agreement.  Unite also rejected that approach.  

"The tactics utilised by them have been contrary to the principles of good faith and for which we are currently initiating legal action.

"The action will have minimal impact on patients and public. We are always open to meeting with the union if they have new issues to present, however not while served with strike action," said Mr Peploe.

In the current tough economic environment, DHBs are required to show restraint in their spending.  Increased productivity and innovation will be required if wage growth is to occur and any wage growth must be affordable.

"We value the relationships with our staff and we are committed to working in partnership to preserve jobs and services, and to recognise innovation and efficiencies wherever these occur," said Mr Peploe.