A week of action from NSW health workers will continue tomorrow, with NSW Paramedics set to undertake 24hrs of industrial action calling for better resourcing and wages.
The Australian Paramedics Association (NSW) is demanding the Government commit to 1,500 extra staff on road, pandemic payments and a wage increase beyond the 2.5% annual cap, and a massive investment in specialist Paramedics and referral networks to improve service for the community.
"It should come as no surprise to the Premier or to his Government that health workers are taking action", said APA (NSW) President Chris Kastelan.
"We've been telling them for years that we're fatigued, too thinly resourced, and at risk of burning out. And since COVID we've been asked to dig deeper, work longer, and sacrifice more than before.
"It's no longer possible to keep expecting us to do so much, with current staffing and conditions.
"For two years, we've been doing the impossible, and we've been doing it with grit and fortitude to show up for our communities.
"But something has to give. If the Government refuse to act on resourcing and pay, they will find themselves facing down a mass exodus of qualified, experienced clinicians."
Paramedics will take action by refusing all staff movements for 24 hours from midnight, meaning staff will refuse to leave their allocated station to help the service plug roster holes elsewhere.
APA (NSW) announced the action on Monday, after members voted almost unanimously in favour.
"We've seen a huge outpouring of support from the community this week, with many NSW residents going out of their way to let us know we have their backing and gratitude", said Mr Kastelan.
"The issue resonates with people because they've seen how hard health workers work, how far we're prepared to go for our communities.
"We've spent two years working overtime through pressure and fatigue, in full PPE, facing exposure risks that we bring home with us from work.
"People know we have the wellbeing of the community always at the forefront of our minds.
"What we're asking for is not unreasonable—in many cases it's already in place in other states. We're asking for the resourcing we need to properly do our jobs, and a wage to reflect the skill and professionalism we bring to the role."
