Ambos reject pay offer

Ballarat Courier

BALLARAT paramedics have unanimously rejected a 3.25 per cent annual pay increase over four years.

The offer was made by the State Government together with Ambulance Victoria.

However, the Ambulance Employees Association is instead seeking a six per cent rise per annum over three years.

The city's paramedics rejected the government's offer at a meeting at Ballarat Trades Hall yesterday.

"We're very disappointed in the offer as it's nowhere near what we are seeking," AEA Victorian secretary Steve McGhie said.

"Obviously it just reflects on how poorly the government and the management of Ambulance Victoria view paramedics as professionals."

Mr McGhie said "no industrial action has been decided on at this stage".

"There is still a long way to go with negotiations," Mr McGhie said.

Earlier this week, Mr McGhie said paramedics were concerned about the delivery of services and if industrial action was taken, it would be on an administrative basis.

He said these actions could include not billing patients and refusing to fill out paperwork.

Bendigo's AEA members also rejected the government and Ambulance Victoria's offer on Monday.

The offer will be put before Melbourne's AEA paramedics today.

Mr McGhie said Ballarat's ambulance officers would formally meet again some time next month to discuss the pay situation.