Radiographers at district health boards across New Zealand are planning their first ever national strike on September 7.
Deborah Powell, national secretary of their union, Apex, said members were outraged at the suspension of four radiographers by Counties Manukau DHB today.
Ms Powell told NZPA other members at Waitemata and Auckland DHBs had been threatened with suspension, but the DHBs had not yet carried through on their threats.
Apex said the suspensions were an attempt to bully staff into accepting a pay offer they had already rejected.
About 1000 medical radiation technologists, or radiographers, who carry out X-rays, imaging and scans at public hospitals, have been involved in rolling industrial action over a lack of progress in pay talks.
Ms Powell said the strike would be the first time radiographers had taken such national action, although there had been regional strikes in the past.
The DHBs have offered radiographers a one percent rise, followed by another one percent increase later. They have not yet commented on the strike threat.
NZPA