Disappointment at laboratory workers’ decision

Press, 1 February 1986, Page 9

Disappointment at laboratory workers’ decision

A decision by laboratory workers to delay giving details of planned Industrial action is disappointing, says Christchurch Hospital’s medical superintendent - in - chief, Dr Ross Fairgray. "Obviously the shorter time we have to prepare will mean greater inconvenience for the public,” he said.

Christchurch medical laboratory technologists were to have outlined the action they would take yesterday, but will wait

until Monday before giving details.

In spite of the delay, hospitals would cope, because they would have eight days to prepare for the action, to begin on February 11, said Dr Fairgray.

The national secretary of the Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology, Mr Barrie Edwards, said the decision to delay giving details was made to co-ordinate a national plan of action. The delay would also

give the Health Services Personnel _ Commission more time to make an improved pay offer which could avert industrial action, he said. Technologists were offered 2.89 per cent more than the 19.5 per cent offered to other State workers. They say this is unacceptable. Industrial action will severely disrupt hospital services although technologists have pledged that patients’ lives will not be endangered.