CDHB Services Under Pressure From Strike
“NUPE delegates report that serious problems are already beginning to occur with services at the Canterbury District
Health Board’s (CDHB) Hospitals after just a day and a bit into the five day strike,” said Martin Cooney, organiser with
the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE).
Martin Cooney said the striking NUPE members are seeking funding for an acceptable offer for support and other staff
members. “Delegates had hoped the Government would intervene after Cabinet yesterday to lift the 1.7% available for
support staff and avoid the inevitable difficulties ahead for our Hospitals.”
“The lack of maintenance staff at Ashburton, Christchurch Public, Princess Margaret and Hillmorton Hospitals is
beginning to bite,” said Martin Cooney. “For example, the boilerhouse at Christchurch Hospital already has a problem
with a smoking boiler which normally requires a striking NUPE member to fix it. The workers there are refusing to fix it
as they will not do the job of a striking worker.”
“Elsewhere drivers have said they are refusing to deliver coal to Ashburton Hospital if the maintenance staff are on
strike. Some non-NUPE maintenance staff refused to cross picket lines this morning and managers had to be called to walk
them across.”
“The Hospital has already admitted that surgery is being delayed because of delays with medical records,” said Martin
Cooney. “The Board needs to acknowledge that the impact of the strike by clinical and non-clinical staff is significant,
and call on the Government to fix the problem before it blows out.”