More than 200 anaesthetic technicians from 17 cities and towns around New Zealand will be walking off the job on Thursday.

Anaesthetic technicians who are members of APEX are set to undertake a 24-hour full withdrawal of labour tomorrow, July 28. The technicians will be downing tools in an effort to receive a fair offer from their employer, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand.

'The new offer received yesterday [Tuesday July 26] still sees APEX technicians falling behind their colleagues,” says senior advocate Luke Coxon. "They just want to be paid the same as those they're working alongside who happen to be members of a different union.”

'You can't perform most surgeries without an anaesthetic technician there so the strike will be pretty disruptive," says Coxon.

'The employer knows what they need to do to avoid this disruption, and that's give us a reasonable offer on salaries that does something to address the increased cost of living for our members.”

Anaesthetic technicians are essential members of the surgical team. They work mainly in operating theatres, providing skilled assistance to the Anaesthetist.

Anaesthetic technicians check and maintain the anaesthetic machines and other related equipment, ensure appropriate equipment and drugs are available, assist with inserting airway devices and venous/arterial cannulas, and act as advocates for patients.

While anaesthetic technicians work predominantly in operating theatres, they are called upon to work in any area where an anaesthetic may be given, including CT, MRI & radiology, ED & intensive care, and during cardiac arrests.

The full withdrawal of labour will see over 200 Anaesthetic Technicians at Waitemata, North Shore, Whangārei, Tauranga, Whakatāne, Wellington, Hutt, Kenepuru, Rotorua, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hawke's Bay, Southland, Nelson, Palmerston North, Waikato, Taranaki hospitals off work from 7am on Thursday July 28 to 6.59am Friday July 29.