On Wednesday 5th February and Friday 7th February, APEX laboratory workers employed by privately owned laboratory providers will withdraw all their labour in support of three separate collective bargaining negotiations. The strike will continue for 48 hours and will affect both hospitals and the community services across the country.
APEX has raised a claim for parity with Te Whatu Ora rates of pay in each set of negotiations with Awanui Labs, Pathlab Limited and Medlab(/Tlab) respectively. These employers are mainly funded by Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand) and have rejected APEXs claims for parity on the basis it is unaffordable. As a result, APEX Laboratory workers, who perform an essential role in the diagnosis and treatment of illness, continue to be paid between 28%-32% less than Te Whatu Ora laboratory workers that undertake the same work.
The effect of this wage discrepancy is clear. Laboratory workers are making the jump to Te Whatu Ora and leaving a large portion of the country’s diagnostic services short staffed. As the ability to recruit and retain staff diminishes, so too does the quality of our country’s hospital and community health services.
There are a number of pickets planned, the details for which can be found below,
- 5th February 2025 @ 12:00-13:00, Wellington Hospital, 49 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021
- 5th February 2025 @ 11:00-12:00, Hospital Corner, Hagley Park, 45 Riccarton Avenue, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011
- 5th February @ 09:00-10:00, 58 Tristram St, Hamilton 3204
- 5th February @ 10:00-12:00, The Hub Whakatane
