Health NZ Seeks ERA Help as Senior Doctors’ Strike Disrupts Care

Health New Zealand requested immediate intervention at the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) after senior doctors conducted their 24-hour work stoppage on May 1. Health New Zealand sought ERA intervention to break the ongoing eight-month impasse between government representatives and Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) members.

Medical operations numbered 4,300, which doctors had to delay during the strike, yet emergency treatment services functioned at all times. Health Minister Simeon Brown showed displeasure about the industrial action because it made waitlist reduction even harder for New Zealand’s extensive healthcare waits. There exists an extreme challenge to manage the growing healthcare waitlists. The strike action does not serve to deal with the issue that needs resolution, according to Brown.

According to Brown, the government’s offer included:

• Bonding arrangements for specialists relocating to understaffed regions
• Removal of lower pay steps for senior doctors
• A 9.5% increase (approximately $17,000) for first-year specialists

ASMS hospital specialists identified their requested salary hike as 12% although executives have extended annual proposals at under 1% according to showings by executive director Sarah Dalton. Vacancies in senior medical positions remain their top concern according to the statements from her. Brown delivered to the union members his demand for them to return to formal table discussions as he said “My message to the union is get back around the negotiating table.” These issues need to be solved by negotiations which must be conducted at this specific location.