KEY POINTS:
District health board negotiators will today attempt to revive talks with medical laboratory representatives in a bid to avert a seven-day strike at the end of the month.
More than 1200 medical laboratory workers are planning to walk off the job for a week after failing to reach agreement with employers over pay.
The union members are expected to begin their strike on November 29.
The labs involved are the New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS), Wellington Pathology, Medlab South, Southern Community Laboratories and DHBs nationwide
DHBs spokesman Gordon Davies said while no more talks were scheduled, negotiators would attempt to contact the union to see if more talks could be held.
"This is a serious action being taken by a key group of staff that will provide difficulties for our patients," Mr Davies told National Radio today.
Mr Davies said the strike action was as serious as the recent radiology strike action and the impact of the strike would be felt throughout the health sector.
"Much will depend on what work can be done in community laboratories but pathology services are significant in all our diagnosis in exactly the same way x-ray is, so it is a serious problem."
Mr Davies said there was a huge gap in expectations which had arisen from large amounts of government funding in the past and huge pay increases.
"This year the Government's provided much less money and this step down has been too much for many unions to accept the kind of increases they've had before."
Bryan Raill, secretary of the Medical Laboratories Workers Union, said members were seeking a reasonable increase and a realistic salary scale.
The average wage started at $40,000 rising to $51,000 after nine years.
Mr Raill said members had taken the action reluctantly.
"What we're up against is a failed forecasting process by the DHBs.
"They are too afraid to go back to the Government and say we need to pay our laboratory scientists a fair living wage."
- NZPA
