MSAV members working in Biochemistry decided being understaffed and overworked would have to stop. Following a members meeting, the union raised a detailed claim for additional staff to resolve what had become an intolerable situation for them.

The claim was based on a number of key grounds: it is unacceptable that MSAV members perform unpaid work (early starts, late finishes, overtime not paid; and meal breaks not taken) individual workloads increasing because of changes in Biochemistry without additional resources; ever decreasing opportunity to take accrued leave; no leave relief; and ADOs not being taken.

Discussions between the MSAV and pathology management resulted in agreement to appoint an additional 3.6 EFT of Scientist into Biochemistry. The new positions will be advertised this Saturday for immediate appointment.

Footnote The Australia Institute, an independent public policy think tank, found that there were over 2 billion hours of unpaid overtime worked by Australians in 2009, worth $72 billion, or over 6% of GDP.