The medical laboratory workers will continue their strike action the next week also over pay and working conditions and as a result, the patients could face delays in their treatments at Auckland's major hospitals.

The strike will continue on Monday and Tuesday by the members of New Zealand Medical Laboratory Workers Union (NZMLWU) and the members from Middlemore Hospital and the Manukau Super Clinic will carry on the strike on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Even during the strikes 350 laboratory scientists, technicians and phlebotomists would be performing life and limb saving services. But, Ngaire Buchanan, regional spokeswoman for Auckland District Health Boards has warned the patients about the delays due to strikes.

“Auckland District Health Board is not willing to settle contracts in a fair and meaningful way”, said Union Secretary-Treasurer, Bryan Raill. He also compared the remunerations of nurses and laboratory workers.

The nurses were studied for three years, while the lab workers were observed for four years. It was found that the nurses began with a salary of about $44,000 that surged to $60,000 after three years. On the other hand, the lab workers started with $42,000, but after four years their salary increased to about $51,000.

Nearly 70% of the laboratory workers in the South Island had agreed with Medlab South and Southern Community Laboratories, but the leftover segment that works with DHBs have not arrived on any settlement.