NZ Blood activates contingency plan ahead of strikes
A standby plan has been activated because of strikes affecting Australian blood plasma company CSL, although disruptions here are not expected.
BUSINESSDESK: NZ Blood, which is responsible for the national blood transfusion service, has activated a contingency plan over supplies because of strikes affecting Australian blood plasma company CSL, although it doesn’t expect disruptions.
CSL faces industrial action by the National Union of Workers, the Community and Public Sector Union and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, which have threatened to stop processing foreign plasma if they don't get a pay rise.
The dispute has been running for more than three years. Workers are seeking annual pay rises of at least 5% and retention of shift arrangements and job security.
"We have activated a contingency plan and there is no immediate issue in regards to stock because we hold a lot of it," NZ Blood marketing and communications manager Paul Hayes told BusinessDesk. "We will be able to maintain a supply – we have several months of stock for the products."
"We are obviously aware that CSL has an industrial action issue," he said. "Our senior management team is working closely with CSL and we have been in contact with them on a regular basis."
Last week, CSL offered workers a 10.75% pay increase over three years, which was described as "disappointing" by unions.
Talks between CSL and the three unions will resume tomorrow, when the NUW will begin a 24-hour ban on the processing of international plasma. The CPSU will stop international processing indefinitely on Wednesday.
Hannah Lynch
Mon, 30 Jul 2012
Mon, 30 Jul 2012
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NZ Blood activates contingency plan ahead of strikes
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