Following the return to work of members locked out by Symbion Health (Dorevitch and Gippsland Pathology) negotiations for a new EBA have commenced under the auspices of FWA (Fair Work Australia). The first conference took place yesterday. We have been presented with a ‘log of claims’ from management which seeks to radically reduce scientists’ terms and conditions of employment.

As if this were not enough, management has refused to pay members taking part in the negotiations on the basis that because scientists took industrial action, the company is not going to pay them to attend FWA! Notwithstanding the company’s position, members of the MSAV EBA Committee employed at Dorevitch and GP will be attending the negotiations, and we will be pursuing the matter of payment for members attending in another forum.