Vic: Medical scientists threatening 48 hour strike action

The Medical Scientists Association of Victoria (MSAV) on Tuesday released a statement threatening the strike from midnight on Wednesday until midnight Friday if Tuesday's talks should fail.

Last month, the MSAV staged a series of rolling 24-hour strikes, accusing the government of refusing to negotiate with them over their wage claim, which includes a first year 9.25 per cent pay rise.

Tuesday, MSAV secretary Rosemary Kelly said her members, who include radiologists, pharmacists, psychologists and dieticians, were reluctant to take further action but six months of negotiations had so far proved fruitless.

"Throughout the entire period of negotiations, the government representatives have failed to make a single concrete offer," Dr Kelly said.

"While doctors and nurses are more visible, our members are the ones in the background who make hospital services possible.

"No scientists means no pre-operative pathology tests or release of blood for blood transfusions. No tests, no blood, no surgery - it is that simple."

Dr Kelly said the proposed two-day strike would shut down elective surgery at hospitals across Melbourne, Bendigo and the Goulburn Valley.

Services affected would be blood testing, radiation therapy, cardiac surgery, brain scans, pharmacy services and hospital discharges.