Management at Dorevitch and Gippsland Pathology have circulated an “Agreement” to scientists, the effect of which will be to create a low wage ghetto in these services AND which will slash the current terms and conditions of employment of scientists.

The Union has NOT agreed to the terms of the EBA. It was unilaterally circulated by management. The most egregious propositions are:

• Rates of pay will be up to $109/fortnight less than the rest of the private pathology industry
• There will be no backpay despite the fact that there has not been a salary increase since 2007
• Personal leave entitlements will be slashed – from 21 days pa to 10 days pa for scientists with more than 4 year’s service
• Access to arbitration of disputes by Fair Work Australia will be removed
• Reduction in redundancy pay
• No adjustment to allowances over the life of the agreement
• Appointment to Grade 2 and Grade 3 positions to require the approval of the CEO
• Access to paid professional development leave can be unreasonably refused
• Reduction in annual leave accruals for part-time scientists who work weekends
• No right to be represented in disciplinary processes
• Part-timers can be rostered on any shift with the right to have fixed hours, days and start/finishing times taken away

Scientist members employed at Dorevitch and Gippsland Pathology must make sure that they vote, and VOTE NO to the proposed agreement, in order to keep their current terms and conditions.