After months of industrial action, the stalemate between the agitating lab workers and DHB New Zealand over pay hike appears to be nearing an end, with the latter offering a 2.5% pay rise to the protesters.

According to the Medical Laboratory Workers’ Union, they would in all likelihood accept the salary-raise offer as made by the DHB New Zealand and, therefore, return to work.

Notably, the two sides – the DHB New Zealand and the Medical Laboratory Workers’ Union – had been involved in a war of words over the salary issue and working conditions for the last few months.

It was only this week that the DHB New Zealand relented and came out with a 2.5% rise in salaries offer for the Medical Laboratory Workers' Union.

Regarding the latest development, the secretary of the Medical Laboratory Workers' Union, Bryan Raill, said that their association was yet to accept the offer. But most likely the offer would be accepted by the union members over the next month, Raill added.

The 2.5% pay rise offer was also confirmed by Medical Laboratory Workers Union spokesman Stewart Smith. He said a new contract offered the hike over the next 25 months.

“In good conscience we have withdrawn industrial action around the country and hope to meet and vote on the new offer before Christmas”, Stewart Smith told NZPA.