Nurses are voting on three potential strikes in their fight for better pay.  Their union has proposed two 24 hour strikes and one eight hour strike – one in July, one in August and one in September.

The union have a meeting with the DHB tomorrow and the next day to explore all possible options, in the hope of finding a solution to this ongoing issue.

New Zealand nurses organisation Industrial services manager Glenda Alexander told Heather du Plessis-Allan given based off of where they got to last time, they’re not holding their breath over it.

“We’re positive and going into it with an open mind because we really would love it if there was a solution that would address the issues we’re really concerned about.

Alexander says it’s a big struggle to get anything out of the DHB that falls outside of their “guidance box” and although there are creative ways around solving the problem - they haven’t heard one yet that is going to mean something concrete for their members.

“That’s what they really need to hear now, they’re very resolute about this not just being swept under the carpet again – it’s important to address these issues right now.

“The events of the last week demonstrate once again how important it is that we’ve got a nursing work force that’s ready to step in when we need them to, but they’re tired, they’re disillusioned and already stretched to capacity.”

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