Radiographer talks fail to avert strike

Eleventh hour talks aimed at averting strikes by radiographers starting on Friday appear to have failed.

Representatives of the country's district health boards (DHBs) met with the radiographers' union Apex in Auckland today in an effort to avert a three-day strike in Auckland starting tomorrow and a nationwide one-day strike next Tuesday.

A statement from the DHBs indicated that Apex and the DHBs explored proposals aimed at settling the dispute this afternoon.

"The parties met in bargaining and explored proposals that were aimed at settling the negotiations. The DHBs and Apex remain apart with the key issue for DHBs being the affordability of the union's claims for settlement," the statement said.

"The DHBs are disappointed in Apex's continued inability to understand the DHBs' financial constraints. The strikes will continue, which is disappointing for the DHBs, but contingency planning is well advanced."

Apex spokeswoman Robyn Slater said the radiographers put up some good offers but the DHB negotiators did not feel they could offer much.

"We altered our position twice, but the employers shuffled some money around in a circle.

"They said if any more money was to be made available they had to go to the DHB chief executives and then to a strategy group, which was frustrating."

She said the Auckland industrial action would definitely go ahead, while the nationwide strike was still on unless an agreement was reached in the meantime.

The industrial action in Auckland, which impacts Auckland Hospital and Starship Hospital, is due to begin tomorrow morning. It has already prompted the cancellation of all elective surgery at Auckland Hospital, affecting more than 500 people.

The impact would potentially be made worse for 36 hours from 5pm on Saturday when southbound lanes of the Newmarket Viaduct are closed.

The viaduct is a key part of Auckland's Southern Motorway and is used by many motorists looking to access both Starship and Auckland Hospitals, and the closure would make it difficult for ambulances to get to the hospitals.

People were asked to consider seeing their GP or local accident and emergency centre if possible.

Radiographers had agreed on two pay increases of 1 percent by October prior to today's meeting, but other issues were still on the table.

Apex and the DHBs were also due to discuss provision for life-preserving services during the strikes.

- NZPA