Police, fire-fighters slam govt over appalling treatment of ambos

Police, fire and ambulance officers will today to plan a day of action against the Government for its continued failure to provide paramedics with fair wages and safe working conditions.

Police, fire and ambulance union delegates are meeting today at Dallas Brooks Hall for the annual conference of their Emergency Services Federation – a strategic alliance between the three unions – where they will also condemn the government for its failure to fix ambulance response times.  

Paramedics have been bargaining for a new enterprise agreement since April this year.

In August the State Government rejected paramedics’ claims for improved wages and conditions, including 10 hour rest breaks between shifts to help deal with fatigue.

Police Association Secretary Designate Greg Davies said his members were extremely angry over the treatment of paramedics.

“Like police and fire-fighters, paramedics work around the clock helping the community and saving lives.”

“Ambos simply want fair wages and to do their jobs safely, yet the State Government has refused to support them. That’s a disgrace.”

Ambulance Employees Australia State Secretary Steve McGhie said paramedics were grateful for the support of fellow emergency services workers.

“It’s time Premier Brumby got serious about resolving our EBA,” said McGhie.

The support for ambulance workers comes amid rising anger among all emergency services workers over the State Government’s failure to adequately invest in emergency services.  

The conference is set to pass a motion calling for an emergency services day of action.

The day will highlight under-resourcing of emergency services and feature a march on, and rally outside, Police and Emergency Services Minister, Bob Cameron’s Bendigo electoral office due to his reluctance to address community safety issues.

“The Minister for Police and Emergency Services is presiding over severe police, fire and ambulance shortages in his own electorate. If he can’t get it right in his own backyard, then it doesn’t auger well for the rest of the state – it’s time he was held to account for his mismanagement of this very important portfolio,” said Davies.