Technicians’ action ‘may inconvenience public’

Press, 6 February 1986, Page 3

Technicians’ action ‘may inconvenience public’

The Canterbury Hospital Board will try to maintain its services during three days of limited industrial action by laboratory technicians from 8 a.m. on Tuesday. The board’s medical superintendent in chief, Dr Ross Fairgray, said the technicians’ action could seriously inconvenience the public, especially those admitted for elective surgery, if it continued for more than three or four days. The technicians have warned that they could

extend their three-day ban on certain tasks if they do not get a favourable response to claims for higher pay, better working conditions, and screening and vaccinations against hepatitis B. “If the action is limited in time, it is hoped the effects will be minimal. The board's aim will be to maintain existing services to the greatest possible extent,” said Dr Fairgray, after a meeting of senior staff yesterday. He said that the technicians’ action could affect

all members of the public as the restriction on blood transfusion services and other hospital tests involved both the private and public sectors. The Press Association reports that the Auckland Hospital Board has cancelled all admissions to its general and obstetric hospitals from Friday because of the threatened strike by laboratory workers. The board’s chief executive, Mr Les Corkery, said that outpatient clinics would continue.