HSU paramedics will take a historic, statewide stand against Dominic Perrottet's attempt to cut their pay, by only attending the most urgent, life threatening emergencies on June 10.
Last year paramedics were awarded a paltry 0.3 per cent. This year, the Government's proposed 1.5 per cent pay offer is again less than inflation, which NSW Treasury currently forecasts at 2.2 per cent for the coming year. In the last year paramedics were exposed to COVID and floods and before that, the ravages of bushfire.
"NSW paramedics are at breaking point. They're not trying to get rich. They just want a fair pay rise that recognises the cost of living and the intensity of their work," said Gerard Hayes, HSU NSW Secretary.
"Our paramedics were required to transport COVID-positive patients, without adequate protective equipment. They were exposed to a wild and deadly disease, yet they continued to serve the people of NSW and protect their health.
"To offer them a pay cut is humiliating and insulting. NSW paramedics are already the worst paid in the country and personally carry the cost of their professional registration and education. This pay cut will set them further behind.
"We are flagging this action well in advance and have designed it to avoid impacting life threatening emergencies. There will, however, be significant disruption on the day.
"Dominic Perrottet can avert all of this by coming to the table with a fair pay offer. He is swimming in cheap money and stamp duty revenue. He simply needs to provide paramedics a fair day's pay for a fair day's work."
