Resident doctors’ vote for second strike

Resident Doctors employed by DHBs have voted to strike for a second time in January for 48 hours on 29th and 30th January. The intransigence of the DHB employers at mediated bargaining earlier this week has inflamed an already bitter dispute. “The RMOs are more determined than ever not to accept clawbacks to their terms and conditions” says NZRDA senior advocate David Munro. “This vote for a second strike testifies to their resolve,” he said. “The RMOs are clearly not going to be backing down.”

The current strike action has been caused by the DHBs’ continued pursuit of clawing back terms and provision in the MECA some of which have been in the collective agreement for more than fifteen years.

“It is disappointing and frustrating that we are being forced to strike just to keep our terms and conditions,” says Dr Courtney Brown, NZRDA President. “The DHBs’ position means RMOs could be moved to any hospital in the country as the DHBs see fit. RMOs could be required to work for more than 16 hours in a row, without guarantee of rest or safety. RMOs could lose access to education and training, jeopardising the quality of care we are able to deliver to our patients, and a whole lot more.”

The NZRDA acknowledges and appreciates the support of New Zealanders, and hopes that together we will get the message through to the DHBs; come back to the bargaining table and offer a fair deal for RMOs, without a sheaf of clawbacks, like all other health sector workers have been offered in this round of bargaining.