Medical physicists are continuing their industrial action in Dunedin, while a union representative says the ''phone seems off the hook in DHB world''.
Action affects six centres that provide radiation oncology. It started in four boards last week, including Dunedin, and increased to six boards yesterday.
In Dunedin, it meant an overtime ban. Action could gradually intensify to a full one-week strike from July 8, Apex advocate David Munro says.
''I suppose I'd have to be surprised [if the pay talks settled soon] .
''The phone seems off the hook in DHB world at this stage.''
Some patients' treatment had had to be rescheduled.
''It certainly is causing a headache, but patients' treatment is still happening.''
The Southern District Health Board has nine medical physicists, whose work involves delivering radiation treatment to oncology patients.
Previously, Apex has said a pay offer of 1% in the first year, and 2% in each of the two following years, would not address a pay lag of up to 50% with medical physicists' Australian counterparts.
The Otago Daily Times requested comment from DHB Shared Services, but it did not respond before deadline.
