Failure to overturn Cootamundra Pathology Lab Closure results in 24-hour strike
Pathology workers at Young Hospital will strike over the NSW Government’s decision to close the Cootamundra Pathology Lab.
The industrial action is part of an ongoing dispute over pathology services in the Murrumbidgee region.
All staff members at the Young Pathology Lab are expected to take part, and will be joined by representatives from the Health Services Union and the local Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke.
When the Cootamundra Pathology Lab closes, the workload is expected to be absorbed by the Young Pathology Lab, which is already at capacity.
“Our members take their jobs very seriously and don’t want to create even the slightest disruption to services, but they have been left with no choice” HSU Secretary Gerard Hayes said.
“These essential workers are telling us today’s minor disruption will be a drop in the ocean compared to what happens when this service is lost. It’s not only disappointing that a stretched lab will take on more work, it’s also dangerous.”
There are fears a reduction in services will increase wait times for diagnostic results, and put more pressure on Young and Wagga’s pathology services.
“We gave NSW Pathology the chance to do the right thing and reverse the decision and maintain operations at the Cootamundra Pathology Lab,” Mr Hayes said.
The stop work action will take place outside Young Hospital on Wednesday, February 26.
Key details:
What: Full-day stop work action
Who: HSU members, union representatives and Cootamundra MP Steph Cooke (all available for interviews)
Where: Outside Young Hospital’s main entrance (just off hospital grounds)
When: 11.30AM, Wednesday 26th
Media contact: Kathleen Ferguson - 0421 522 080
