Senior doctors employed by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) will take strike action next week after contract negotiations broke down over employment protections, pay and workplace rights.
The industrial action, announced by the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS), follows ongoing negotiations in which the union says ACC has refused to include key employment protections in a new agreement.
At the centre of the dispute are concerns that recent changes to employment law mean ACC’s senior doctors would no longer have access to standard personal grievance rights for unjustified dismissal unless those protections are specifically included in their employment agreements. The union also says ACC has declined to include explicit protections allowing doctors to publicly raise patient safety concerns, despite recommendations made in the corporation’s own workplace culture review.
The ASMS says remuneration has also become a major point of contention.
According to the union, consumer prices have increased by more than 31 percent since 2018, while pay for ACC medical advisers has risen by just 4.2 percent over the same period. The union also points to comments from ACC’s Board earlier this year acknowledging that the organisation pays less than comparable public sector agencies and Crown entities.
The doctors involved provide specialist medical advice that supports ACC decisions relating to injury claims, treatment, rehabilitation and entitlement assessments.
While the union has confirmed strike action will proceed next week, it says its preference remains reaching a negotiated settlement that addresses employment rights, pay and professional protections.
The dispute comes amid broader discussions about the recruitment and retention of senior medical professionals across New Zealand’s health sector, with workforce shortages and competition for experienced clinicians continuing to place pressure on public services.
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists argues that ensuring fair employment conditions is essential not only for retaining experienced doctors but also for maintaining public confidence in organisations that rely on independent clinical expertise.
ACC has yet to publicly outline any revised offer or indicate whether further negotiations will take place before the planned strike.
The industrial action is expected to increase pressure on both parties to reach an agreement, with the dispute highlighting wider concerns about employment conditions and the ability of senior medical professionals to advocate for patient safety without fear of repercussions.
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