Central Region APEX Laboratory Workers Strike Next Week
31 May 2024
Laboratory workers in Palmerston North, Whanganui and Gisborne will withdraw all labour from 0001 Tuesday 4th June to 2359 Wednesday 5th June next week.
The strike action comes off the back of stalled negotiations with Sonic Healthcare, which operates both Medlab Central (Palmerston North & Wanganui) and Tlab (Gisborne) laboratories. The workers are striking for the employer to come to the table with a genuine cost of living increase as well as a retention payment to entice workers to ‘stick it out’ with their employer during a time of significant wage inequity.
At present there is a 20%-30% pay differential between Sonic Laboratory Workers and Te Whatu Ora Laboratory Workers rates of pay. Both groups of laboratory workers perform essentially the same work and have historically had wages that were much more closely aligned. APEX believes that in the coming months we can expect to see more and more workers making the jump from private to public. “The current discrepancy in private and public sector pay is not sustainable and if allowed to continue will lead to the diminishment of an essential part of New Zealand’s health system” said APEX Advocate Sam Heimsath today.
In consideration of the significant gap between public and private sector wages, the claim APEX has tabled is reasonably modest, and the members believe it would go a long way to stem the bleeding and help prevent a worsening recruitment and retention crisis.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Sam Heimsath – APEX Advocate
Cell phone: 021 811 878
E-mail: lab@apex.org.nz