Nurses and midwives will discuss the possibility of strike action after rejecting a 2 percent pay rise offer from New Zealand's district health boards (DHBs).
After several weeks of meetings, around 27,000 worked have voted to reject a collective agreement offer from the DHB negotiating team.
The rejection means that negotiations with the DHB negotiating team have now stalled.
"The Employment Relations Authority requires us to continue to act in good faith with the DHB employers through this impasse," New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) industrial services manager Cee Payne said.
"We remain open to any meaningful discussions with the DHB employer negotiating team."
Ms Payne said industrial action is a last resort - however in mid-April, the NZNO will meet to plan a vote on whether to strike and discuss the details of it, should it go ahead.
"We understand the impact that industrial action will impose on the health sector," Ms Payne said.
"Nurses are responsible and professional and will be concerned to ensure that adequate life preserving services will be available should a strike occur."
Newshub.
