Nurses have voted to go on strike on Thursday for 24 hours. An earlier strike was cancelled after the District Health Boards (DHBs) managed to make some changes to their working conditions. However, nurses still feel they are not being paid enough. They also want an increase in staff numbers, like another 500 nurses. The acting Prime Minister, Winston Peters, says there is no more money. He also said that nurses should be more patient as the government will gradually improve their pay and conditions in the next few years.
This is the first time in 30 years that nurses have decided to go on strike. New Zealand has nearly 30,000 nurses and midwives altogether in the 20 DHBs. Most provinces have a DHB although Auckland has three DHBs.
Not all nurses will be on strike. There will be a skeleton staff for emergencies, but all non-emergency surgery will be cancelled on Thursday. Appointments at the hospital will be cancelled also. But if you have an emergency, ring 111 for an ambulance.
It is possible that the decision to strike will change before Thursday, but not likely.
Vocabulary
patient (adj) – being calm and prepared to wait
skeleton staff – a few basic staff