DHBs demand unilateral control over doctors’ working lives

During mediation today (Friday 15 February) the DHBs continued to demand unilateral power to make changes to RMOs’ terms and conditions of employment and made it clear that this is a nonnegotiable position.

The RDA presented a proposal for dispute resolution. Under this proposal, if the parties cannot agree on implementing a change, the matter would be referred to an independent, appropriately qualified third-party facilitator.

“The DHBs refused to agree to anything less than the right to impose variations to signed and agreed conditions of work,” says David Munro, NZRDA Senior Advocate.

“It’s quite extraordinary. It would allow a DHB CEO to vary a significant component of our collective agreement without the consent of the other party. I can’t think of any other workforce that’s burdened with such contractual uncertainty, or so vulnerable to the whims of its employer.”

NZRDA members recently voted for a fourth 48-hour strike, which will take place in late February, and are currently balloting on an unprecedented fifth strike