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Staff at the Ministry of Fisheries are threatening to walk off the job if employment negotiations this week fail to produce a settlement.
The action threatens to leave fish stocks at the mercy of poachers, with over 220 fishery officers involved in any industrial action.
The Public Service Association and the National Union of Public Employees have been negotiating with the ministry to renew a collective agreement since last September.
PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said the issues related to staff pay, travel allowances, annual leave and fitness testing.
The 220 staff included fishery officers, investigators, scientists, scientific observers and clerical and administrative staff.
