Health workers in public hospitals could go on strike at the end of the month. The DHBs (District Health Boards) offered 12,000 nurses, physiotherapists and some other health workers a pay increase of 0.7% per year or 1.5% over 2 years. The union for the health workers say they need 2% per year to keep up with the cost of living.
The DHBs say they have no money. Other employees like lab technicians and radiologists accepted 1.5% over 2 years. However, the union said that 87% of their health workers voted to go on strike if they don’t get a better pay offer.
The union and the DHBs have been negotiating this pay offer for some time. They will meet again next week to try to find an agreement. The union has to give 14 days notice of strike action.
If health workers go on strike, it would cause major problems in hospitals.
Vocabulary
• to go on strike (n), to strike (v), to take strike action (adj) – refuse to work as normal
• physiotherapists – treat people with injuries, using massage, exercise etc
• union – worker join a union to protect their work conditions
• cost of living – cost of food, accommodation etc
• negotiate (v) negotiation (n) – talk between employers and employees to find agreement
• give notice – tell their employer