District Health Boards (DHB) have recently made New Zealand's striking radiographers a new contract offer. Apex, union representing around 1,000 medical radiation technicians (MRT), has been engaged in negotiations with DHBs for months. The industrial action-which involved working to rule and zero overtime-has been suspended as Apex officials present the latest proposal to its members.

DHBs have announced their satisfaction with this new contract, which they believe offers a fair an affordable compromise as compared to the contracts of 90% of the workforce. Karen Roach, a DHB spokeswoman announced that the new contract includes a 1% salary raise in the first year, followed by another 1.5% raise in the subsequent 15 months.

In addition to salary negotiations, the union and DHBs are also engaged in discussions regarding changes in on-call rates and travel expenses, fourteen weeks paid parental leave and an investigation into the roster which sees employees of two DHBs work 80 hours per fortnight. Additional issues include retraining and professional development, and equal pay for sonographers, who carry out ultrasound treatments.

The union criticised the DHBs for an error that showed there is actually $230,000 available to meet its financial demands. In addition, the union claims that the DHBs are only focusing on salary issues and failing to address issues with working conditions.

Apex hopes to reach a decision among its members today.