Officials from the Australian Paramedics Association (APA) met this week with Health Minister Brad Hazzard to discuss issues including the Working With Children Check (WWCC) and Paramedic Registration.
Minister Hazzard has made Paramedics an offer (subject to approval by the Treasurer) for the Government to pay for the initial registration application fee if Paramedics agree to pay for their WWCC.
The Minister has proposed a minimum payment of $190, a one-off payment that will be restricted to Paramedics employed by NSW Ambulance prior to 30 June 2019 and only applies to their initial registration. Paramedics would still be required to pay the registration componemt.
"Our position has been and remains that paramedics will not cop wage theft," said APA (NSW) secretary Steve Pearce.
"This offer only exists because APA (NSW) members have been unwavering in their resolve to hold the line."
"The union is now consulting with its members about the Minister’s offer. In the meantime, our advice to members that they refuse to provide NSW Ambulance with a WWCC remains in place."
"Our members have been steely in their resolve to not go backwards in their wages and conditions," said APA (NSW) president Chris Kastelan.
"This included unprecedented industrial action by members that ultimately saw APA (NSW) secretary Steve Pearce and vice president Glenn Congram discussing the issue with Minister Brad Hazzard in March, that has been crucial in these negotiations," Mr Kastelan said.
Media comment Steve Pearce 0414718542, Chris Kastelan 0411150066 ---
