Sarah Dalton. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
The senior doctors' union is expected to announce Monday morning whether its members will strike for two days over deadlocked pay negotiations.
On Friday, the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists rejected the health minister's request for binding arbitration.
Its head, Sarah Dalton, accused Simeon Brown of illegal interference in the bargaining process.
The minister said he believed binding arbitration was a necessary circuit breaker - but in the meantime he urged the union to return to talks.
The dispute has dragged on more than a year, and led to a 24-hour strike in May.
If approved, the next strike would be later this month.
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