Some Waikato Hospital orderlies plan to strike on Christmas Eve for higher pay.
Orderlies who are members of Unite Union will strike for four hours from 8.30am on Thursday.
But the orderlies say they would keep up the Christmas spirit by holding a barbecue and inviting low-wage workers to join them.
The Waikato District Health Board say last month the pay talks had reached an impasse.
Asked whether a strike was appropriate at Christmas, strike committee coordinator Ross Crook - who has been an orderly at the hospital for more than 12 years - said: "We want to highlight that this particular Christmas is going to be hard times for most workers".
"Working people ... just aren't recognised for the work they do."
"We are making a positive stand for the majority of people this Christmas."
