We have notified a dispute in the AIRC over the ‘restructuring’ of pathology laboratory at the Box Hill campus of Eastern Health.  EH wants to downgrade the classification of a senior scientist to Grade 3 from Grade 4, notwithstanding that no change to his duties, and that the position meets the definition of a Grade 4 under the points system under the award.

It has now come to our attention that the other senior scientists in the laboratory are currently undergraded and need to be reclassified. It is amazing what is coming to light in pathology at Eastern Health. We have already successfully had members upgraded from technicians to scientists. Previous pathology management had, in at least one case, advertised a position as a scientist position, recruited a scientist and then offered the position as a technician position, notwithstanding the person was required to perform scientific work.

The Eastern Health situation is a good illustration of the importance of the points system in the award for the proper classification of scientists. Employers want to remove the definitions so that they can decide on the classification of scientists without objective criteria. We are under no illusions as to what this means – the employers want open slather to reduce gradings – while requiring scientists to do the same work! There is nothing stopping them from offering higher gradings at present, so the only reason to get rid of classification definitions is to provide them with the means to reduce scientists’ gradings and pay.  And this is not confined to scientists. The employers are also opposed to proper classification definitions for dietitians and psychologists.