The union statement said most Grace Hospital workers have been offered a 2.5% pay rise.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are inviting local candidates from all parties to come and talk with us on the picket line tomorrow about the cost of living,\u201d Middleton said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can hear directly from nurses, anaesthetic technicians, cleaners, kitchen staff and administrators about how rising prices are impacting them and their wh\u0101nau.\u201d <\/p>\n
Middleton said the strike would be the first strike in Grace Hospital\u2019s 40-year history.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe care deeply about our patients, and we\u2019ve kept the strike to four hours to minimise disruption, but we can\u2019t keep falling behind.\u201d <\/p>\n
A Grace Hospital<\/a> spokesperson said the hospital respected the legal right of nurses to take industrial action.<\/p>\n They also recognised the \u201cimportant role\u201d nurses play in delivering safe, high-quality care to patients across the Bay of Plenty.<\/p>\n \u201cOur nurses are highly valued members of our team, and we remain committed to constructive discussions aimed at reaching an agreement that recognises their contribution while supporting the ongoing sustainability of the hospital and the care we provide to our community.\u201d<\/p>\n The spokesperson said they were \u201cdisappointed\u201d the strike would go ahead when a bargaining meeting was scheduled for Friday amid ongoing negotiations.<\/p>\n \u201cWe look forward to returning to the bargaining table and continuing discussions in good faith with NZNO.\u201d<\/p>\n The hospital\u2019s \u201cimmediate focus\u201d during the strike was supporting affected patients, specialists and employees, maintaining safe services during the strike period, and rescheduling any procedures disrupted by the industrial action.<\/p>\n \u201cWe regret the inconvenience and stress this disruption may cause and are working to safely reschedule affected procedures as quickly as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n The hospital, which is jointly owned by Evolution Healthcare and Southern Cross Healthcare, offers a variety of surgical and other healthcare services on a 5ha site on Cheyne Rd.<\/p>\n It blessed a new, $18.6 million wing this year.<\/p>\n It is Tauranga\u2019s only private hospital. Two more are planned in the wider region, in the CBD<\/a> and Te Puna<\/a>. <\/p>\nGrace Hospital added the $18.6 million Kaimai West Wing this year. <\/p>\n