TLab strike ongoing, hospital lab services maintained

The TLab medical laboratory strike continues on Friday although the laboratory at Gisborne Hospital will remain open.

A spokesperson for TLab owner MedLab Central said [non-union] phlebotomists from the city collection centre in Gladstone Rd would redeploy to keep the hospital service operational.

Medical laboratory staff who work for Medlab Central/TLab, Awanui Labs and Pathlab Limited in Gisborne, Whangārei, Taranaki, Waikato, Tauranga, Whakatāne, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Whanganui, Hawke’s Bay, the Wellington region and the South Island went on strike for 24 hours on Wednesday and will do so again on Friday.

Members of the Apex Union for Allied, Scientific and Technical employees in New Zealand say they want pay parity with their counterparts in Health NZ, or the public health sector.

NZ Pathology chairman Dr Peter Gootjes said Awanui, Medlab and Pathlab were working to minimise the impact of the industrial action on patients in impacted areas.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“Our laboratories play an essential role in the provision of healthcare services and we are working closely with the union, hospitals, and health professionals to ensure essential life-preserving services remain available and ongoing disruption to the community can be minimised.”

During the strike, community sample collection will be unavailable in Gisborne and Whanganui, across all of the South Island and will be significantly impacted across Taranaki, Hutt Valley, Wellington, Rotorua, Waikato, Taupō and Whakatāne.

“Some pathology services may remain available, however, there will likely be delays and patients should expect longer wait times.

“It is recommended people defer non-urgent testing until the following week or contact their GP if they have concerns.”

While all hospitals remain open, there will be disruptions.

Unless patients have been contacted directly, they should attend any outpatient appointment or surgery as planned.

“We understand the concerns raised by Apex members and recognise the challenges posed by pay discrepancies following the previous Government’s pay equity settlements for public sector employees,” Gootjes said.

“We are committed to working constructively with Government and officials on this matter.”