Workers at a major Sydney morgue will walk off the job over staff shortages and concerns a new database is not working to help them keep track of bodies.
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Frustrations with the system have led to more than a dozen technicians at the Forensic Medicine and Coroner's Court complex at Lidcombe striking for 24 hours from 3pm on Wednesday.
A further nine staff at morgues in Newcastle and Wollongong will also take part out of solidarity.
Health Minister Ryan Park will meet with the Health Services Union on Wednesday in the hope of resolving the issues.
An in-house system, colloquially known as "deadbase", was replaced last year and software for the tracking of bodies was outsourced to consultancy giant PwC.
Staff at the facility are concerned the new database does not properly allow them to keep track of key metrics such as the status and level of decomposition of bodies.
The facility receives around 20 bodies a day for the purpose of conducting post-mortem examinations at the direction of the NSW coroner.
HSU NSW secretary Gerard Hayes said "relentless outsourcing" in the sector should be examined by the upcoming state inquiry into NSW Health.
"While highly paid consultants are looked after, workers face greater strain and are expected to do more with less," he said.
"The bodies of our recently deceased loved ones deserve dignity, not cost-cutting."
Mr Park said he respected the right of working people to take industrial action.
"We will engage with the union and I'll be engaging with NSW Health to see if we can get this resolved as quickly as possible," he said.
Australian Associated Press
