Hawke's Bay anaesthetic technicians to walk off job

Anaesthetic techs at Hawke's Bay Hospital plan to walk off the job for 24 hours next week. Photo / Warren Buckland

Strike action is planned at Hawke's Bay Hospital, with anaesthetic technicians planning to walk off the job for 24 hours.

The strike, which will occur between 7am October 5 and 7am October 6, will postpone 13 elective surgeries.

APEX Union advocate Luke Coxon said they were yet to receive an official offer but what had been discussed at the negotiating table had been unsatisfactory.

"When we have gone into bargain, we are still waiting on an offer, but it just hasn't been satisfactory.

"We think the DHB can come to the party and we hope they do before the strike happens.

"It takes a lot for the members to make a decision to strike, so it's not done lightly, and we're not really asking that much."

He said there was a growing shortage of technicians around the country, and in the private sector they see pay increases could be 20 per cent higher than the public sector.

"We're not seeking parity with private sector rates, but we want a realistic and fair increase at this stage."

An anaesthetic technician would remain on duty throughout the strike, for life preserving surgeries.

"Acute surgeries that's important to someone's life and limb will be maintained throughout the strike."

Hawke's Bay District Health Board chief executive Kevin Snee said the anaesthetic technicians were an integral part of the hospital, as all surgeries requiring general anaesthetic needed a technician.

"This will unfortunately mean that 13 elective surgeries that required a general anaesthetic, planned for the day of the strike will be postponed," Snee said.

If an agreement is reached prior to the strike, the elective surgeries will go ahead on that day.

He apologised to those patients affected, and thanked staff and the contingency planning team for the support they were offering the DHB.

He said they were continuing to work to reach an agreement before the strike.

"We are always hopeful we can reach agreement, but we need to plan for the event and postpone and reschedule those surgeries now."

A spokesperson for HBDHB said they had been in negotiations with the anaesthetic technicians since July when their contacts expired.

"The Hawke's Bay community can be assured contingency planning and the agreement we have with the union means that quality and safe patient care will still be provided at Hawke's Bay Hospital if strike action does go ahead next week."

"We are continuing to work with the union and are hopeful agreement can still be reached."

Wairoa and Central Hawke's Bay DHB facilities will not be affected by the strike.

Apart from the operating theatres, the rest of Hawke's Bay Hospital will function as normal.

Affected patients will be notified, however anyone who is uncertain about their appointment can contact the DHB on 06 878 8109.