Since September 2020, ongoing negotiations with Labtests and subsequent mediation in late January 2021, a vote has been taken by NZO members to picket and start a 24 hour strike ballot.
According to NZNO organizer Sarah Barker, the decision to picket follows the rejection of two offers which failed to fetch the initial rates even up to a living wage. “Once members rejected the first offer of two percent, Labtests indicated this week they had another offer to present. This offer did not improve the base pay and in fact for some steps was lower than their initial offer, leaving members angry and disappointed. We have exhausted formal pathways to urge Labtests to come up with an offer that fairly values these employees. Given they continue to undervalue staff, members have chosen to picket this Saturday 13 March at 2pm, outside Labtests head office at 37 Carbine Road Mt Wellington. We will also undertake a strike ballot.”
Ms. Barker says the fact that the starting rates are not at a living wage is insulting given these are skilled workers providing an essential health service. As said by Ms. Barker, it is an insult that the starting rates are not at a living rate, given that these workers are skilled and are providing a critical health service.
“Phlebotomists are regulated and skilled health care professionals required to hold practicing certificates. They are essential frontline workers who are vital to patient treatment and diagnosis and yet by 1 April Labtests will be paying them just three cents above the minimum wage.”
Ms. Barker states that Labtests is a part of profit-driven company contracted with several district health boards all over Aotearoa. “Our lab staff are being exploited and they’re fed up. They work hard for our communities. COVID has surely shown us where our priorities should be. Labtests needs to ensure all its workers are paid well and that their starting rate is at least the living wage.”
