By FRANCESCA MOLD
Junior doctors have struck a deal with their employers, ending fears of a national strike.
The chief executives of 18 of the country's hospital and health services have signed off a complex settlement package that includes an estimated 8 per cent pay rise to be staggered over two years.
Junior doctors had asked for 20 per cent and were originally offered 9 per cent.
The new deal has slightly less pay upfront but is worth more than 9 per cent through other improvements, including changing the pay scale so doctors receive higher rewards early in their career and a greater investment in training.
Auckland employers, who are conducting separate negotiations, will put a similar offer to 770 junior doctors on Monday.
The proposed national contract settlement has not yet been ratified by doctors, but their union said it had been in close contact with members and was hopeful the deal would be accepted.
Resident Doctors' Association secretary Dr Deborah Sidebotham said the ratification process would take at least a week.
The agreement, which would expire in July 2002, yesterday prompted the immediate lifting of a strike at Waikato Hospital, with doctors agreeing to return to work last night.
A strike notice issued in Auckland yesterday was also swiftly withdrawn after talks between the union and employers resulted in a potential deal.
Both sides say they are unable to reveal details of the new contract because it is complex, but they agree that the cost to employers will vary at hospitals depending on the ratio of registrars and house surgeons.
"While neither party will be totally satisfied, we believe we can live with it," said the national spokesman for hospital employers, Mark Flowers.
The package would provide a platform for hospitals and junior doctors to work together over the next two years to solve recruitment and retention problems, he said.
The nurses' union said that although it was not yet aware of the details of the junior doctors' agreement, it indicated "a way forward for us all."
Nurses' Organisation chief executive Brenda Wilson said her members were looking for equity.
"Nurses suffer similar problems to junior doctors, including student loans and staffing shortages, which need to be addressed."
Health Minister Annette King, who had until yesterday refused to comment on the junior doctor crisis, congratulated both sides for resolving the dispute.
Doctors' deal defuses crisis
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