Massive disruption at Canterbury District Health Board hospitals is expected early next month when more than 3000 nursing and health staff will strike for two days over pay claims.
The strike action is planned for December 2 and 3 and comes after attempts to resolve disputes over two different staff
contracts failed yesterday.
More than 3000 staff are expected to strike.
One contract is with the 1100 staff who work in Older Persons Health and Mental Health at Princess Margaret Hospital and at the Hillmorton Hospital.
Issues remained unresolved following a day of mediation yesterday.
The CDHB said it remains willing to meet with the unions and to try to reach a settlement.
Earlier this week the 1100 staff went on strike from 6am Monday to 8am Tuesday.
About 650 of these staff are nurses. The remainder are a mix of professions including social workers, speech language therapists, and clerical and dental staff.
The other contract in dispute is with 2000 nurses who work in the board's other hospitals - Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch Women's Hospital, Burwood Hospital, Ashburton Hospital and the rural hopsitals.
They have been considering a pay offer from the board but yesterday overwhelmingly rejected it.
Both groups of staff have said they will strike for two days.
"This will mean a massive disruption of hospital and patient services to a degree never seen here before," said CDHB chief executive Jean O'Callaghan.
"There will be patient safety risks."
Contingency planning was already under way to help minimise risk.
Hospital authorities had also asked for exemptions from the strike for staff in critical care areas such as the emergency department, intensive care and premature babies unit.
- CHRISTCHURCH STAR
