Forensic scientists who enter Canberra’s clandestine drug labs will down tools and march on the ACT Legislative Assembly today, after months of ACT Government silence on their claim for a hazard allowance.
Professionals Australia members at the ACT Government Analytical Laboratory will stop work from 9:30am to 11:30am on Wednesday 29 July and rally outside the Legislative Assembly.
It is their first full stoppage after a month of indefinite work bans, which began on 29 June and have failed to shift the Government.
These are the scientists who enter methamphetamine labs, then return to handle fentanyl and other toxic, volatile chemicals in the laboratory. They do this work without the hazard allowance paid to comparable frontline roles.
Professionals Australia tabled a claim to recognise that risk months ago, but the ACT Government has still not responded.
The stop-work comes weeks before members vote on a new enterprise agreement.
Last week the Government sweetened its public service offer with cost-of-living payments and an earlier start to superannuation increases. The Analytical Laboratory hazard allowance is not in it, nor are outstanding claims for Pharmacy, Medical Physics, and Technical and Other Professional staff.
Victoria Wansink, Director of the Microbiology Unit at the ACT Government Analytical Laboratory, and Nethanel Farr, Senior Forensic Chemist at the Laboratory, will speak at today’s rally about the need for a fairer pay deal.
“Professionals in the ACT Government Analytical Laboratory work in high-consequence, hazardous environments. They deserve to be paid an allowance that recognises those risks,” Ms Wansink said.
“Forensic scientists would rather be solving crimes than walking off the job. But after months without a response, they feel they have been left with no other choice,” said Ashley Sutherland, lead organiser at Professionals Australia.
“The Government wants members to vote on an agreement next month that still doesn’t include hazard pay for professionals doing this work,” Ms Sutherland said.
Professionals Australia is calling on the ACT Government to resolve the outstanding Analytical Laboratory allowance claim, respond to the Pharmacy, Medical Physics and Technical and Other Professional claims, and return to the bargaining table before members vote on the proposed agreement.
Media are invited to attend the rally outside the ACT Legislative Assembly in Civic Square from 10am. Spokespeople will be available for interviews.
Contact details:
Siobhan - 0439 505 261