Hospitals cope with radiographers' strike

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Hospitals appear to have coped with a nationwide radiographers' strike today, despite being busy.

The first national one-day strike follows a three-day strike by Auckland radiographers which ended yesterday morning.

Radiographers in Christchurch opted not to take part in the industrial action so as to treat victims of the weekend's massive earthquake.

Bernadette Gourley, spokeswoman for the radiographers' union Apex, said the strike had gone well with minimal disruption.

The strike officially ends tomorrow morning but union members would continue to take low-level industrial action, such as refusing to do overtime and insisting on taking lunch breaks.

A District Health Boards New Zealand (DHBNZ) spokesperson said initial reports were that hospitals had been busy but no patients had been turned away.

The radiographers have rejected an unbackdated increase of 1 percent with another 1 percent later this year.

They are seeking backdated pay as well as time in lieu for days spent on professional development courses. The DHBs say the demands are not affordable.

DHBNZ officials will meet tomorrow morning to discuss negotiations.

- NZPA