6 Nov 2010

DHBs puzzled at junior doctor view on pay talks

10:04 am on 6 November 2010

District health boards say they're surprised that a revised offer to junior doctors has met with the doctors' disapproval.

Junior hospital doctors say they were poised to accept a 2% pay rise offered by their employers but disappointed to see that offer revised by DHBs at the last minute on Friday.

Under the latest version, DHBs propose a 2% pay rise and talks with the doctors on wider issues, such as remuneration, training and work-life balance, until 31 December.

These talks were originally proposed to continue until March next year.

The doctors say it's not fair to reduce the time for the important discussions.

However the DHBs say that is the only difference between the offers and they're committed to completing the work in five one-day sessions before the end of the year.