EMPLOYEES at Gippsland Pathology Service in Sale were set to walk off the job today, over what they call GPS's failure to negotiate wage increases.
GPS pathology scientists, laboratory technicians, lab assistants, couriers and pathology collectors at laboratories in Sale, Traralgon, Warragul, Bairnsdale, Leongatha and Wonthaggi threatened stop work action yesterday as part of state-wide rolling stoppages.
The main action took place between 11am and 1pm outside the main entrance to the Latrobe Regional Hospital.
Secretary of the Medical Scientists Association Dr Rosemary Kelly said members were "furious'' that after promising to reach an agreement by December 2008, GPS was "refusing to meet with the union to negotiate pay rises''.
"The last pay rise our members at GPS got was an interim increase of 1.5 per cent in 2007.
"Meanwhile we have negotiated increases of 17 per cent for scientists employed in private and public pathology.
"Management at GPS are aware of what they need to do.''
Dr Kelly warned patients and doctors that the strike would delay the collection and processing of patient results by GPS.
Dr Kelly said union members were demanding GPS agree immediately to comparable salary increases to those negotiated in pathology elsewhere with the same date of effect.