United Voice

Year-long pay talks with the Government have broken down and paramedics are now preparing an application for an industrial action ballot.

Ambulance Employees Australia State Secretary Steve McGhie said a major sticking point is Ambulance Victoria’s refusal to support minimum 10 hour rest breaks between shifts.

The warning comes as the ambulance union released a new analysis today revealing only Victoria and Western Australia still have 8 hour breaks, while Queensland paramedics may soon have 12 hour breaks between shifts.

Mr McGhie is talking to members about their options and will not rule out stop-work action.

Mr McGhie called on Victoria’s health minister Daniel Andrews to intervene and make Victoria’s crisis-ridden ambulance service Australia’s safest and best.

“Victorian ambos face extreme workloads. Many work more than 15 hours straight, often without meal breaks, and then need to be back working eight hours later. Our survey last year found many get just five hours sleep between shifts.”

“Our survey with 350 ambos found many are falling asleep driving and making clinical errors because of their relentless workload and lack of sleep between shifts.”

“For an entire year we’ve negotiated in good faith for proper breaks and fair wages. We have got nowhere.” 

“Paramedics don’t want to take industrial action but it seems they’ve been left with no other way to fix this dangerous situation.” 

“They are dedicated professionals. They will do what ever it takes to give Victorians the safest and best ambulance service possible.”

“Paramedics in NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Northern Territory and the ACT all get ten-hour rest breaks between shifts. I am certain Victorians would also want their ambos to be properly-rested when they are on duty.”

“We urge Daniel Andrews to step in now and make Ambulance Victoria Australia’s leading ambulance service.”

In 2007 Coroner Peter White held an inquest into the death of a 78-year old cardiac patient administered the wrong drug by paramedics. He found the paramedics were fatigue-affected.

WorkSafe Victoria says breaks between shifts of less than 10 hours are a “fatigue hazard”. It specifically warns against 8 hour breaks in its fatigue prevention booklet.  

Even the Council of Ambulance Authorities, an employer association Ambulance Victoria is a member of, recommends 12 hour rest breaks between shifts.

Paramedics across Victoria today will begin placing large stickers on ambulances that say ‘STOP AMBO FATIGUE – PROPER REST BREAKS NOW!’ They are asking the public to support them through an online petition at www.responsetime.org.au