Australian Paramedics To Follow Nurses With Industrial Action

Victoria Ambulances are seen at the St. Vincent Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 11, 2022. (Diego Fedele/Getty Images)

Paramedics in New South Wales (NSW) have followed the state’s public nurses and midwives and are striking for 24 hours on Thursday.

The members of the Australian Paramedic Association (APA) voted in favour of state-wide industrial action, demanding 1,500 more paramedics and increased investment in specialist paramedic programs.

The union is also seeking a real pay increase to reflect professionalism and skill, namely, a wage increase of more than the currently offered 2.5 percent, in addition to COVID-19 bonuses.

Striking paramedics continue to respond to specifically assigned jobs; however, they are refusing to cover staffing holes outside of their assigned station.

“Congratulations to all those paramedics who have started day shift this morning and refused to move. You’re standing up for yourselves, your colleagues, your patients, and your community,” APA NSW said on a Facebook post.

Paramedics marching with nurses in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 15, 2022. (AAP Image/Supplied by the Australian Paramedics Association NSW)

APA President Chris Kastelan said the action should come as no surprise to the premier and government, as the workforce had been unstaffed from before the onset of COVID-19.

“We’ve been telling them for years that we’re fatigued, too thinly resourced, and at risk of burning out,” he said in a statement. “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.”

An NSW Ambulance spokesperson said in a statement to The Epoch Times that paramedic awards and conditions were set by the Industrial Relations Commission, providing a 2.5 percent increase, inclusive of an increase to superannuation.

“NSW Ambulance paramedic salaries must include factors such as allowances, shift loadings, and overtime payments before being fairly compared to other jurisdictions,” the spokesman said, adding that NSW Health regularly meets with unions to discuss paramedic awards and entitlements.

The department acknowledged that the industrial action could potentially cause disruptions and delays to services.

“Patient safety is always our priority, and NSW Ambulance has operational plans to minimise disruption to the community during any such actions,” the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the transport sector will also be holding separate industrial action on Monday over a safety dispute with the state government.

The Rail, Tram, and Bus Union (RTBU) have led several rounds of action since September.

RTBU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens said the union was disappointed to take another round of industrial action.

“Our dispute is with the government, not the public, and all our industrial actions are planned to impact transport management rather than commuters,” he said.