Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Health Minister Simeon Brown has asked Health NZ and the senior doctors union to "urgently agree" to binding arbitration to end their long-running contract dispute, saying he has little confidence they can resolve their differences.
This comes as members of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists are voting whether to strike, after rejecting the latest pay offer.
In a letter today to Health NZ chair Dr Lester Levy and the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, Simeon Brown said he was "increasingly concerned" by the lack of progress to date.
"It has now been 12 months since the agreement expired, and you are no closer to resolution," he wrote.
"In addition to the bargaining over the last 12 months, you have also attended mediation, had five days of facilitated bargaining, and the Employment Relations Authority has made a recommendation.
"However, the rejection of Health New Zealand's latest offer and the immediate ballot for further strike action has made it clear that the bargaining relationship has broken down. I see little prospect of Health New Zealand and ASMS reaching a resolution on their own."
Thousands of patients were bearing the impact of this dispute, he said.
"It is time to commit to a pathway that puts the health outcomes of New Zealanders first and provides certainty for patients, specialists, and the wider health system within the context of Health New Zealand's overall financial situation."
The minister has asked both parties to confirm their agreement by 4pm Friday, and for the union to not proceed with the strike action currently being balloted, "should it be successful".
Meanwhile, he has already asked the Health Ministry and the Public Service Commission to start work on establishing the arbitration process.
