Junior doctors in Christchurch set to strike tomorrow

A strike by junior doctors is set to proceed on Tuesday after negotiations between one of their unions and Te Whatu Ora failed to produce an agreement.

About half of the country's junior doctors will commence a 25-hour strike starting at 7am.

The strike is in support of several hundred members facing potential pay cuts.

In Christchurch, doctors will picket from 10AM until 11.30AM opposite the main hospital entrance.

General Practitioners Aotearoa supports the strike.

Chair Dr Buzz Burrell said junior doctors deserve fair pay, and undervaluing them contributes to massive problems in our health system.

“Some specialty trainees are looking at a pay cut, including general practice registrars at a time when we desperately need more trainees, that’s not ok.”

Te Whatu Ora is planning to amalgamate GP trainees into its single employer collective agreement (SECA).

If the current pay cut proposals go ahead along with the SECA amalgamation, GPs in their first year of practice are likely to see a salary cut of over $12,000.

“And we’re hearing that junior doctors, among other things, are not able to take leave that is entitled to them,” Dr Burrell said.

“That puts patients in danger, and it’s burning out our workforce of young doctors before they even find their stride.”