Razor-gang accusation on cost-cutting

Press, 30 September 1988, Page 7

Razor-gang accusation on cost-cutting

By

NIGEL MALTHUS

The Canterbury Hospital Board was taking a “razor-gang” approach to cost-cutting, said the regional secretary of the Public Service Association, Mr John McKenzie, last evening. Commenting on the announcement that Jubilee Hospital might close, Mr McKenzie predicted that it would be only the first of a series of measures to be announced in a piecemeal fashion. All the unions involved in the health sector in

Christchurch would meet on Monday to draw up their strategy on the restructuring of health services. They were very disappointed that the Hospital Board had not taken up their offer to approach restructuring jointly, said Mr McKenzie. The unions had suggested a working party with equal union and Hospital Board representation to consider "management practices, work practices, rosters — all the procedures that take place,” he said.

The approach was made before the Hospital Board meetings that drew up the list of cost-cutting proposals. Mr McKenzie said he had since received a reply from the board’s chairman, Mr Tom Grigg, saying the board would like discussions with the unions in the long term. But it was clear that the board wanted first to embark on "a sort of razorgang approach on its own,” said Mr McKenzie. The unions were convinced that no staff cuts were needed, he said.