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Queensland ambulance arbitration decision announced today

Mon 12 Jul 10 Comments (18)

The QIRC released its decision at noon today in the long running LHMU – QAS wages and conditions arbitration.

 

LHMU has not comprehensively analysed the decision yet and will provide a more detailed analysis and explanation soon.

 

In the meantime, we have summarised some key aspects of the decision below:

 

Wage increases           

 

·  4% from 1 October 2008 (already paid and legitimated by determination)

 

·  4% or $34 per week from 1 December 2009 (from December 2009 interim decision and incorporated into the determination)

 

·  Increases between 1.07% and 2.64% from 1 July 2010 (new base relativities set)

 

·  New paramedic base minimum rate of $48,250.00 with new relativities related to this new base

 

·  Station Officers rates to increase proportionately

 

·  Minimum 4% from 1 November 2010

 

·  Minimum 3% from 1 October 2011

 

Additional payments

 

·  Additional 2.5% increase for Advanced Care Paramedics with longer experience

 

·  Additional 3.5% increase for Intensive Care Paramedics with longer experience

 

(Phased-in over 16 months for members with over 8 years service reducing to a 6 year qualifying period)

 

·  Isolated Practice Paramedics an additional all purpose 2.5% loading on the base rate

 

·  Educators to be classified at 1 pay point higher than their existing classification

 

·  Increased travelling and relieving monetary allowances

 

New Classifications

 

·  Introduction of Emergency Medical Dispatcher and Call Taker Role (as per QAS claim)

 

Meal Windows

 

QIRC accepted LHMU argument that abolition of meal windows was never at issue and therefore could not be arbitrated

 

Relieving within 45km

 

QIRC accepted LHMU argument that the QAS claim for relieving in stations within 45km was not a matter at issue and also could not be arbitrated

 

Sick Leave

 

· New sick leave entitlement of 96 hours per year

 

Fatigue

QIRC did not accept any claims or counter-claims from QAS or LHMU in relation to fatigue management and directed the parties to develop a comprehensive policy

Operation of Determination

· Nominal expiry date of 30 September 2012

· Determination replaces all other enterprise agreements

LHMU claims rejected by QIRC

The QIRC rejected LHMU claims for additional payments for flight paramedics, a separate mentor allowance, separate M-Scale clinical allowance, additional professional development payments and study time, double-time for Patient Transport Officer overtime, composite pay rate, increase in long service leave payments, access to long-service leave at half pay, FBT reimbursement, compulsory vehicle replacement, increased superannuation, 36 hour week.

 LHMU congratulates all members who provided evidence in the proceedings.

Download your copy of the above announcement for your notice board here.

Download your copy of the Full Decision here.

 

 

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Comments

Mon 12 Jul 10  |  Paramedic :(
What pay rise is? Do they consider this a joke?

Mon 12 Jul 10  |  afritsche
It seems we are in as much regard as always despite the detailed and valuable submissions to the QIRC from various parties.

Not only is this a slap in the face, they've emptied the bed pan on us as well.

What will it take to convince anyone outside of our industry of our worth? Maybe a federal award is in order.

Mon 12 Jul 10  |  Paramedic
Half the pay of NT, Victoria, South Australia. No wonder the government was so keen to push us to arbitration.

This is an insult.

Mon 12 Jul 10  |  Richard Wilkinson
Well that seemed a waste of time...The way I see it, from an APC point of view, we got an extra 16 hours sick pay, and as usual, we stay the poor Paramedics of Oz...Maybe I'm missing the big picture [as usual]. How about another tack in 2010?

Mon 12 Jul 10  |  poorly paid
maybe when all the experienced paramedic's are working interstate this government will understand that poor pay & conditions equals no staff. don't know about you all but I'm looking interstate to feed my family.

Mon 12 Jul 10  |  Paramedic Wife
Government administrative officers are paid at a better rate and don't have any qualifications. I'm very disapointed at the QIRC decision as their actions clearly demonstrate their disregard for the paramedics (and their families) and the essential community service they provide. It appears that the QIRC don't have the ability to make a decision based on fact and are only handing down a decision that was put forward by the Government.

Mon 12 Jul 10  |  andrew bell
what an insult - shows how much we are appreciated - feel sorry for the people of qld as how many happy paramedics are there at work NOW?

Mon 12 Jul 10  |  ACP
Bugga all! $150,000 a year up here in central Queensland to drive a dump truck. Rents are through the roof(if you can find one)and after years of study I get $48,250.

Mon 12 Jul 10  |  P O ICP
Well below what I expected. About $2.55/hr extra. I feel devalued by my wage aswell as my treatment by management now.

Mon 12 Jul 10  |  Could be happier but not devastated
What did you really expect? 30% pay rises? Get over yourselves.

Mon 12 Jul 10  |  Simonpara
Yeah it's a bit of a fizzer

Mon 12 Jul 10  |  Garry Harris
Great outcome considering what the employer wanted to take away from us, Kroy, John and the team of witnesses thank you for your tireless efforts. Of course I would have liked more, however looking at the bigger picture I reckon we did OK. This is it love it or leave it.

Mon 12 Jul 10  |  ICP
Well, that is a great deal for the QLD government they now have the cheapest Ambulance service (skills and education standings) and the cheapest Police force.........

Mon 12 Jul 10  |  Insulted
What a joke!! All that time wasted and we end up with next to nothing to show for it. No wonder some are considering a move interstate. We tried to be nice and do the right thing to get paid proportionately and they go and do this to us?? I wonder how how they would react if we took industrial action instead?

Mon 12 Jul 10  |  ACP
The QIRC states it could not compare our wages with those from interstate as their are is no national standard. So as always we get shafted for no being a nationality recognised profession. Therefore it all comes down to supply and demand. I believe Victoria will be looking for experienced Paramedics very shortly. Pity it's so cold down their. But unfortunately we have to consider our future.

Tue 13 Jul 10  |  para
Thanks to the guys that made the submissions, but this decision just smacks in the faces of them and the rest of the Qld paras. But what do you expect when the QIRC have got to do what the state govt say. Comes to something though when my hourly rate is less than the ED receptionist, the school crossing patrol warden, the bloke that's just concreted my drive, the ......... shall I go on. Shame we can't reject the offer!

Tue 13 Jul 10  |  Michael
What a Joke this decision is however I cant see to many Paramedics or Patient Transport officers laughing.

As usual the QAS & the current Government has demonstrated it's comtempt & for the hard working front line officers. Although it is great we have won some level of monetary value & increased sick leave without the loss of our core entitlements. We are still under valued for the qualifcations & hard work that we put in.

As A Patient Transport Officer I feel cheated by this decision. In relation to a number of issues.


1.Double time overtime. The decision not to find in favour of the PTS Officers is nothing but a kick in the face. It is nearly impossible to get any overtime in the first place. There seems to have been an organised attack by the QAS & Managment of late to ensure PTS Officers finish on time as to eliminate any overtime. So by not finding in our favour the QIRC & QAS have effectivly resigned the PTO to living on the breadline from week to week. Maybe they could have considered an additional pay level for the PTS.

2.As for the Argument & comments put forward by the QAS in realtion the up skilling of PTS Officers I find this to be nothing than disgusting. They say if we want to have the ability to have basic Paramedic skills we should join the Student program. Maybe we would if they didnt make it so hard for us to do that, we only want to be in a position to help the Patients & the Community in which we live & work in.

Further more I feel it should be a requirement for PTS staff to have the ability to do the Response driving course as this will add the ability for a PTO to drive for an acute officer if the need arose. In additon all PTS units shoule be fitted with sirens as well. There will come the day when a PTS Officer has a patient develop a life threatining condition in the rear of the Vehicle & have to wait for an acute unit to arrive when it would have been quicker to seek approval to responde to the nearest hospital.

Thu 22 Jul 10  |  ACP
You know I never new that much about the PTO's treatment until recently. You guys rock.

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