Awanui Laboratory Workers Ratify 9.2% Salary Increase in New Collective Agreements
16 July 2025
Following 6 months of strike action, five hundred laboratory workers employed by Awanui, the largest private provider of medical laboratory services in New Zealand, and members of APEX Union have ratified new collective agreements.
“This settlement will be a relief to our members, the clinicians who rely on laboratory services, and the patients whose care is dependent on laboratory workers invisible but essential labour.” said Dr Deborah Powell, National Secretary of APEX. “The settlement of the Awanui collective agreements comes three months after Pathlab, (which delivers medical laboratory services throughout Bay of Plenty and Lakes) settled with us for an average 9% salary increase.”
Pathway to Parity
“The new collective agreements provide our members with 9.2% salary increases over the next year, including an immediate 6% salary increase,” said Dr Deborah Powell, APEX National Secretary.
“Together, APEX members have achieved a new agreement with a pathway to parity secured into the foundation of the employment relationship. These increases are funded from within Awanui’s existing revenue and have not relied on further funding from Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand.”
“This settlement will start closing the 25-30% pay parity gap between Te Whatu Ora and privately owned laboratory staff by a third over the next year. We will then be in a position in next year’s bargaining to complete work with the employers to close the remaining 15-20% gap in wages.”
APEX remains in bargaining with Awanui for laboratory workers in Auckland and with the separate company Medlab Central for laboratory workers in Gisborne, Whanganui and Palmerston North.
Medlab Bargaining
Between 2017 and 2024 Medlab made a net profit after tax of $28 million and declared dividends of $34 million. Medlab’s latest offer to APEX members was for an average 5.8% salary increase over the next 12 months. APEX members have rejected this offer and industrial action at Gisborne, Whanganui and Palmerston North hospital laboratories is ongoing.
“APEX members at Medlab are determined to achieve salary increases in 2025 which put their salaries on the same pathway to parity with their colleagues in other corporate laboratories. With Pathlab and Awanui collective agreements settled, it’s time for Medlab to come back to the table with a realistic offer to settle the bargaining there.” Said Dr Powell.
ENDS
Dr Deborah Powell is available for comment on 021 614040 or comms@apex.org.nz