In direct contrast to negotiations at Gribbles, talks with management of Dorevitch Pathology and Gippsland Pathology broke down yesterday after the company’s failure to make a reasonable offer to scientists to reflect market rates of pay.

Not only does Dorevitch and GP management want to create a low wage ghetto, the company also wants to reduce scientists’ terms and conditions of employment, by reducing sick leave, redundancy and parental leave entitlements among other matters. Clearly this is unacceptable. They cannot seriously expect scientists to agree.

We will be holding members’ meetings next week to consider our response to the company’s position, which comes after months of prolonged and difficult negotiations. It would appear that the company has never intended to reach agreement.