The union representing 75 Waikato District Health Board (WDHB) orderlies says it is disappointed employers will not meet for negotiations ahead of a 48 hour strike due to start at midnight.
The union members represent 75 percent of the attendant staff at the hospital.
After receiving two week's notice of the strike action, the Department of Labour offered mediated bargaining but the WDHB declined to attend, Unite Union organiser Jared Phillips said.
Unite added a request that the WDHB attend mediated bargaining, which was also refused.
Mr Phillips said the DHB was acting irresponsibly.
"A 48-hour strike is a serious matter for our members, for the public, and for the WDHB.
"We have requested the WDHB attend mediation on the basis of the 48-strike notice, change of claims for bargaining, and the fact that major health sector unions are entering into the ratification process for a separate agreement, which we think will have some bearing on the conclusion our negotiations."
Unite's strike committee coordinator Ross Crook said it was a sign of bad faith the WDHB would not meet at the negotiating table with them.
"This makes it very clear that the employer is at the centre of the breakdown of the bargaining."
But the WDHB said it would not negotiate with union members while they were either on strike or under notice of strike action.
The direct impact on patients and the public would be minimal and the DHB had ensured all essential and urgent patient-related tasks would continue through the 48-hour period, employee relations manager Greg Peploe said.
"We don't believe there is any sign of bad faith. We'll sit down and talk when they withdraw their strike notices.
"Their demands have not changed -- we can not meet their demands."
The orderlies had had annual wage increases since July last year, Mr Peploe said.
In the current tough economic environment, DHBs were required to show restraint in their spending, he said.
"We value the relationships with our staff and we are committed to working in partnership to preserve jobs and services, and to recognise innovation and efficiencies wherever these occur."
Unite will be picketing the Waikato Hospital from 8am to 12pm tomorrow and Thursday.
