FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA RELEASE
Remember again the Pandemic Heroes?..,
5 February 2024
Those heroes were not just scientists. Medical Laboratory Pre-Analytical Technicians (MLPATs) and Medical Laboratory Technicians play a huge role in our laboratories.
MLPATs work in the labs themselves receipting and organising the analysis of samples, But most New Zealander’s will be familiar with them at their local collection centre when their GP has sent them for tests. ‘Our MLPATs take blood samples and other specimens in the collection centre. They tell us that the public often think that they are nurses and are paid similarly,’ said APEX Advocacy Lead David Munro today. ‘But of course, that is not anywhere near the case. The current rate for a beginning MLPAT at Awanui is $23.00/hr. Astonishingly, that is below what the government has announced will be the minimum wage from 1 April 2024: $23.15/hr’.
The comparison for an experienced qualified MLPAT after three years’ service and having to maintain an Annual Practicing Certificate, illustrates the challenge we face.
| Year 3 MLPAT | Awanui Current | APEX claim | Te Whatu Ora Current |
| $25.07/hr | $27.95/hr | $36.78/hr |
‘The percentage difference between the current Awanui Rate and Te Whatu Ora is 46.7%. If Awanui accepted the most recent APEX claim that gap would reduce to 36.78%. That is still a long way off parity between Te Whatu Ora and Awanui,’ noted Mr Munro.
The Awanui business continues to hide behind offers based on current ‘going rate increases’ whilst ignoring their own unique situation. And this approach follows their $43M dividend payment to shareholders after their profit from the Covid-19 pandemic. 48% of that dividend goes to a Canadian Teachers Retirement fund.
The parties have now sought to have the Employment Relations Authority make a recommendation to settle the collective agreement. The twenty-four hour strike ceases at midnight tonight and is followed by ongoing partial strike action in Canterbury and Southland.
ENDS
Contact: David Munro – Advocacy Lead Mobile: (027) 276 9999 Email: david@apex.org.nz
What is a Medical Laboratory Worker?
Medical Laboratory Workers are registered health professionals who run laboratories and test, interpret and report laboratory results. They are trained to identify disease and abnormalities through studying blood, tissue and other bodily samples. Laboratory workers work ‘behind the scenes’ but remain an integral part of the health system whose work is vital to patient treatment. More than 90% of prescribed treatments require laboratory input to aid/confirm diagnosis or to monitor drug levels or disease progression.
Medical laboratory science is a bit like detective work. Workers look for answers to the disease ‘puzzle’ to help doctors diagnose and treat their patients. They answer questions such as: are these cells abnormal? What do these blood cells tell us about this person’s health? How does it fit in with their other symptoms? How much of drug ‘x’ is in this person’s blood? Is it working effectively? What bug is making this person sick?
Medical Laboratory Workers take on a high level of responsibility, often needing to make important decisions under pressure. Emergencies can occur at any time, day or night, so laboratory workers have to prioritise and use their initiative, often without much back-up. If the doctor needs to know the answer, they have to deliver. Sometimes this means working through the night providing results while patients fight for their life in another part of the hospital or a surgeon waits, mid-operation, for a phone call.
Responsibilities include developing, adapting and applying scientific methods of analysis and ensuring high standards of quality assurance. An understanding of the methodology and theory behind complicated, technical and automated equipment is essential, as is developing the skills necessary to identify and interpret abnormalities under the microscope or via other diagnostic technology. Laboratory workers are highly regarded and sought after worldwide.