MITs (Radiographers) Vote for Biggest Strike Action in a Decade Following Labour Day
Nearly 1200 DHB employed Radiographers (Medical Imaging Technologists) have voted to embark on their biggest set of strike action in a decade, as their DHB employers are yet to produce an improved offer despite both sides having met for mediated bargaining last month.
From Tuesday 29th October (the day after Labour Day) until Saturday 2nd November, and again on Monday 4th November, MITs will be taking strike action in support of settling their employment agreement.
The MITs will walk off the job on the Wednesday and Friday, with partial strikes on the other days of the week which will see the MITs taking a wide range of collective actions to reduce their workload.
This significant escalation comes after a fourth 24-hour radiographer strike ended at 7am this morning.
“We met with the DHBs over three weeks ago at mediation and explained very clearly what a fair deal for the MITs would look like. The delay in progressing the bargaining is due to the employers’ bureaucratic processes which are hampering efficient bargaining, and as a result, we are now on track for the biggest MIT strike action in a decade.” says Dr Deborah Powell, National Secretary, APEX.
“The MITs are absolutely committed to seeing these negotiations settled. The onus is now squarely on the DHBs to improve their internal processes in order to settle this dispute,” Dr Powell concluded.
MITs are essential to radiology services, assisting with diagnosis and treatment of patients using general x-rays, CT, MRI, mammography, angiography and nuclear medicine.
Negotiations for the MIT national MECA have now been ongoing for 11 months.
ENDS
Dr Deborah Powell is available for comment.
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