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Winter 2003

Ambulance Officers - Ready to Roll

The campaign to negotiate a new enterprise bargaining agreement for Tasmania’s ambulance officers is underway, with HACSU’s Ambulance Employees Sub branch putting the final touches to the claim to send to members for comment and final endorsement.

According to HACSU Industrial Officer, Tom Kleyn, members have had significant input into the draft claim and "the feeling is that AESB members are prepared to campaign hard to achieve a decent outcome".

"Ambulance members feel, rightly, that they have been treated as the poor cousins of the health system," Tom said.

"They were amongst the last State Service employees to get the 38 hour week, when everyone else in the Department of Health and Human Services had been working a 38 hour week for several years."

"In addition, ambulance employees still only get 96 hours annual leave per annum while the rest of the Department get 152 hours.

That's despite the fact that ambulance members work excessive overtime, which leads to high stress levels, fatigue and has consequences for their health and safety."

"Also, the recall-to-work provisions are less generous."

"That's just a few areas in which ambulance employees are treated less favourably compared to other health sector workers in the State Service."

"I think it is fair to say ambulance members are sick and tired of being treated as second class citizens in the Department and are prepared to do something about it this time."

"It is interesting the Tasmanian Government has required mining employers on the West Coast to reduce shift lengths and working hours. A look at the average number of hours worked by ambulance members should lead to the same conclusion."Tom Kleyn said.

"The campaign will be looking to improve wages and a range of conditions, as well as recognising the vital role played by ambulance employees within Tasmanian community."