Ambos reject pay deal, want a break

Herald Sun

VICTORIA'S ambulance union has formally rejected a state government pay offer it says amounts to a pay cut.

The Ambulance Employees Australia state council yesterday declined the offer of a 3.25 per cent-a-year wage increase from Ambulance Victoria, which state secretary Steve McGhie described as "impossible to accept".

"Inflation has reached 4.5 per cent, yet paramedics are being offered annual increases of 3.25 per cent," he said.

"Basically, they're being offered a pay cut. That is something they will not accept.

"Not one member across the state has told me they support this offer. They feel they're being forced to take industrial action to get a fair deal."

Mr McGhie said Ambulance Victoria had also refused union demands for a minimum 10-hour break between shifts, requested by the union in a bid to beat fatigue and over-work.

"Paramedics we surveyed said they've fallen asleep driving and made mistakes because of their long hours and workload," he said.

"They average six hours sleep a night, and often less than that.

"Ambos simply want to make sure they can get enough sleep so they're safe to drive and do their jobs properly. It seems like a no-brainer, but it's been rejected. It's bizarre."

The union has asked the public to support an online petition for 10-hour rest breaks, published at www.responsetime.org.au.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24178928-5005961,00.html