United Voice News
Bendigo ambos likely to reject Govt EBA offer
Paramedics are likely to reject Ambulance Victoria’s current enterprise bargaining offer at a meeting at Bendigo Trades and Labour Council today.
Ambulance Employees Australia State Secretary Steve McGhie said local ambos are angry the offer does nothing to address fatigue, would see their pay go backwards in real terms and make it harder to recruit and retain paramedics.
“Inflation has reached 4.5% yet paramedics are being offered annual increases of 3.25%. Basically, they’re being offered a pay cut. How can they accept that?”
“Ambulance Victoria still hasn’t responded to paramedics’ demand for 10 hour rest breaks between shifts to deal with fatigue.”
“Not one member has told me they support this offer. They feel they’re being forced to take industrial action in order to get a fair deal.”
McGhie said paramedics could not wait up to 18 months for their EBA to be resolved.
“Recently in Bendigo there was evidence of shifts not being filled, causing delayed responses to emergency cases.”
“There was a report of a 100-year-old woman waiting almost an hour for an ambulance after a fall.”
“That’s another clear sign our ambulance service is in crisis. We desperately need more staff now.”
“The Government is trying to recruit 358 more paramedics. But unless we get fair pay increases and issues like fatigue are dealt with, who will want to work as a paramedic?”
“Paramedics need our EBA resolved now.”
Paramedics are asking the public to sign an online petition in support of 10 hour rest breaks at www.responsetime.org.au
11 August 2008
