Working as a meat packer is more attractive than the long hours, poor pay and stress of working in a medical laboratory.
That's according to a senior scientist who is leaving the profession after almost two decades.
And she says other colleagues have already bailed for hospitality and fast food jobs.
Medical technicians and scientists employed by one of the country's largest laboratory service providers will walk off the job tomorrow and Thursday in Wellington and the South Island after a break down in contract talks with parent company Awanui.
Among other things the workers take blood, cross match transfusions, staff urgent lab services and test for everything from cancers, to meningitis and covid.
Elaine Booker is a medical laboratory scientist at an Awanui lab based in Southland Hospital, Invercargill.
She's resigned, and is counting down the days until her last shift.
