Strike stops post-mortems

Press, 13 February 1986, Page 9

Strike stops post-mortems

PA Auckland The strike by mortuary workers now in its third day has stopped all postmortem examinations in Auckland. Mortuary workers are under the same union agreement as striking medical laboratory workers. "" The Coroner for greater Aucldand, Mr Stephen Osborne, said nine bodies Mjere now being stoped in

the city morgue. No postmortem examinations were being done because it was not feasible without mortuary attendants. Detective Sergeant Tony Bouchier, of the Auckland police, said that “if the worst comes to the worst” his men would have to do post-mortem work themselves. He said the strike should not be an impediment to an urgent, immediate inquiry a

murder case. Mr Osborne said the worst aspect of the strike was embarrassment and distress caused to relatives of the dead. Grief of families was being worsened because bodies could not be released for funerals.

He said one family affected was that of a car accident victim, Kirstin Repia, aged 21, who died in Auckland Hospital on Monday.

Her family and friends are gathered at Mangere for her body to be released so that they can begin her tangi and bury her at Maketu, in Bay of Plenty. The Auckland Hospital’s medical superintendent, Mr Desmond Beckett, said that although Miss Repia died on Monday it was too late to do a post-mortem examination and by Tuesday the strike was in fort|e.