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Autumn 2004

Ambulance Members hold out for Better Deal

AS INFORM GOES to press members in the Tasmanian Ambulance Service are continuing their campaign to win an enterprise bargaining agreement that will both provide appropriate financial rewards for members, and address a range of long-standing complaints about conditions.

After a series of meetings following an initial Government's offer, an offer rejected by members, HACSU will call stop work meetings to consider a campaign of industrial action.

HACSU's Senior Industrial Officer, Tom Kleyn, said the negotiations now looked like developing into a serious industrial dispute.

"Members have rejected an initial offer by the Government, which, although it contained a significant wage offer not far away from what members were demanding, made no progress on conditions," Tom Kleyn said.

"For example, there was no reference in the Government's offer on key conditions such as safe staffing levels telephone allowance, mentoring allowance, composite rates for LSL and overtime, on call allowance, recall payments, sick leave, wilderness/ helicopter/air ambulance/marine rescue allowance."

"In the meetings we have had since their first offer Government negotiators have said to us they are not authorised to negotiate on key issues."

"It basically means that they are not serious in negotiating properly with us and are just stalling. It has taken forever to get the Government to the bargaining table, and we don't want it to take another age to finalise negotiations.

We want this sorted out so that our members know where they stand and can get on with the job."

With many members already working considerable overtime due to short staffing and high demand, recent development, such as those in Tasmania's north west, will only bolster members resolve to achieve a decent deal.

Tom Kleyn said members were to be commended for their patience and determination.