After agreeing to a program of meetings to renegotiate the 2004 enterprise agreement, Dorevitch management has now decided to further delay the process. We were expecting to meet with management this week to consider a wages offer.

Now Dorevitch want to further delay the process. We have advised Dorevitch that this not acceptable and that the next wage increase needs to operate from 1 July 2008 need to maintain relativities with the public sector.

The latest attempt to delay negotiations is unacceptable, coming as it does after previous delays justified as being due to a business review and due diligence after the take over by Primary Health.

We have opened a bargaining period with Dorevitch, and now need to consider balloting members to take protected industrial action. It seems that some employers, including Dorevitch, do not understand the concept of good faith bargaining.

We will be holding meetings of members to discuss what action to take.

Note: Meeting at the Dorevitch Albury laboratory on Tuesday 21 October 2008.