Paramedics will push ahead with bans on non-life threatening jobs tomorrow after failing to reach a breakthrough in their pay dispute with the NSW Government.
More than 30 HSU ambulance delegates met with Treasurer Dominic Perrottet this morning. Despite a productive discussion, the dispute was not resolved. As such paramedics have not received an offer that reflects their professionalism, keeps up with the cost of living, or improves their pay.
Under Premier Berejiklian's current pay policy, NSW paramedics will remain the lowest paid in the country.
"While Mr Perrottet has listened to our concerns, we need action. The Premier has delivered a safe COVID outcome but the Government has clearly not understood financial savings the professional paramedic workforce is already delivering to the health system.
"We are in the absurd situation where NSW is spending millions to train paramedics but is losing them to other states because we have the lowest paramedic pay in the country.
"We have not not received an offer that fixes this problem. The offer currently on the table does not even keep up with the cost of living.
"This is deeply frustrating. With inflation forecast at 2.2 per cent, we are looking at a pay cut. That is unacceptable.
"We take tomorrow's action reluctantly but firmly. We have been left with no other option. The action is designed to ensure life threatening emergencies are still attended and contingencies are in place with the ambulance service to that effect. However, disruption to other non-life threatening jobs is likely.
"Over the last decade, the job of a paramedic has professionalised and intensified. We are so much more than ambulance drivers. Paramedics keep people alive with critical early clinical intervention while exposing themselves to incredible physical and psychological risk in the process.
"Gladys Berejiklian has done a good job during COVID. But as we emerge from the crisis we need pay that reflects skills and experience and is nationally competitive. All we are asking the Government to do is implement its previous policy of a 2.5 per cent pay rise. Our claims are reasonable, fair and not hard to meet."
Gerard Hayes 0417 275 821
Nick Lucchinelli 0422 229 032
Regional
