United Voice News
Victorian ambos win after epic battle
Victorian ambulance members have finally won longer rest breaks and better wages, after an epic year-and-a-half-long struggle.
Through our Response Time! campaign members built huge public support and eventually forced the State Government to give significant ground on fatigue and wages.
Paramedic members won a 12.5 percent pay increase over three years while intensive care MICA members won a 15 percent pay increase.
Steve McGhie from the LHMU Ambulance Union congratulated members for their courage and unity.
"Our rallying and industrial action moved the Government considerably. They initially offered about 2.5 percent a year but we pushed them up by 4-6 percent overall."
Members overcame a huge wall of opposition from management to ten hour rest breaks between shifts. These are being phased in: for the next two years members get 10 hour breaks if they are fatigued. After that, it will be the minimum.
There are increased allowances for on call paramedics and Clinical Instructors, who also won improved career opportunities. MICA members won a better classification structure.
Salary sacrificing of superannuation will net most members about $1500 extra annually. Paid maternity leave is extended from eight to ten weeks.
Melbourne member Alan Colley is proud of what members achieved together.
"This was the best deal we could get. I went to the negotiations and saw how much Ambulance Victoria originally offered."
"We won this because we stood our ground and refused to accept the initial offers and were prepared to take action. That forced their hand."
He said an improved meal break process, salary sacrificing and longer breaks are all major wins.
Regional MICA member Tony Davis is also pleased about better wages and longer breaks.
"We are getting a pay rise of about four to five percent. That’s above what the Government was offering and better than we’d get through arbitration."
He urged members to "take the ten hour rest break from day one", on every shift.
"My safety and my patients’ safety are more important than anything."
Melbourne member Helen McManus said the campaign showed the power of a united workforce.
"In the light of most workers not getting anything this year I think we’ve done remarkably well. It just shows the pressure of a strong unified front," said Helen.
"This campaign did a lot to unify paramedics across the state. We worked together in a way I haven’t seen before."
"We need to keep that unity and pressure as we campaign for professional rates and recognition in next our agreement."
