Health dispute

Press, 15 February 1989, Page 20

Health dispute

Sir,—l wish to point out to registered nurses in the community that by responding to Ron Parker’s call to act as volunteers they are undermining our strike action. We, as nurses, did not make the decision to strike lightly. Our employers are trying to reduce our penal rates ($3O- - a week) and have requested considerable concessions in our conditions of employment. I ask that all nurses think carefully about the future of our public health-care system before volunteering to replace hospital nurses.—Yours, etc., C. M. FITZGERALD. February 12, 1989.

Sir,—lt is a shame that nurses have had to strike to get the point across that we have had enough of being taken for granted and condescended to by our employer body. With the threatened loss of our penal rates, transport allowance and annual increments, it is no wonder we feel downtrodden and disillusioned. What did not help was the recent comment by Mr Ron Parker, the acting general

manager of the Canterbury Hospital Board, that nurses should think of the patients’ interests first before taking industrial action. I believe that the patients’ interests could best be considered by management showing a willingness to negotiate and not resort to this type of emotional blackmail. The most ironic part of this whole strike situation is that we are not even fighting for gain only to keep what we already have—Yours, etc., RICHARD CRAIG, staff nurse. February 13, 1989.