Health Minister Simeon Brown has come out firing at the senior doctors' annual conference, accusing them of "crossing an ethical line" with industrial action that was hurting patients.
The meeting was at Te Papa in Wellington on Thursday, which comes ahead of further strike action next week.
In his speech to the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, he's called on doctors to call off their strike and put patients before politics.
There were audible cries of disbelief when he said the action — while their legal right — had "crossed an ethical line".
Brown said strikes had seen thousands of procedures cancelled or delayed, and there would be more delays next week.
The room erupted in laughter when he said he had been advised by Health NZ that the average salary for a senior doctor was $325,000, and the employer's offer represented a $160 million pay rise.
"No-one dispute that doctors need to be recognised for the job you do, but New Zealanders also deserve a health system that works for them," Brown said.
He said patients were paying the price for the strike action, and accused the union of walking away from negotiations.
"Patients should never be collateral damage in disputes between management and unions."
Senor doctors would be joining the strike set for later this month.
It's been coined a 'mega strike' and is shaping up to be the largest in decades, with an estimated 100,000 workers involved, including nurses, dentists, healthcare workers and teachers.
They want safe staffing levels, better pay and conditions, as well as more respect and recognition.
Senior doctors announced they would join the strike earllier this month. Members of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists voted 83% in favour of a four-hour strike on Thursday October 23 from 11am.
The union said its officials had twice this month asked for bargaining but that offer had been rejected by Health NZ.
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