NSW paramedics: HSU calls for crisis talks with NSW Premier, Treasurer and Health Minister to broker wage deal

The NSW Health Minister has shared an update in tense wage talks for paramedics amid a looming crisis that could cripple triple-0 from January 1.

Tense wage negotiations to stop about 2000 paramedics from being pulled out of the NSW workforce on New Year’s Day could soon result in an outcome, as the government works to prevent the potential collapse of triple-0 services.

About 40 per cent of NSW’s paramedic workforce have boycotted renewing their registration, with the Health Services Union calling for a 20 per cent boost to base pay. This would leave them unable to work from midnight January 1.

On Tuesday afternoon, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said negotiations had progressed productively in the past 24 hours, and thanked the HSU for “remaining at the table”.

While he wouldn’t put a deadline on a resolution, he believed a deal wasn’t “too far off”.

“I remain in constant contact with the union, with Mr Hayes, with the team from NSW Health, but also with the Treasurer and the Premier,” he said.

Mr Park’s comments comes as a hearing at the Industrial Relations Committee slated for Tuesday afternoon was adjourned till 1pm Wednesday as a result of positive talks.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said negotiations had progressed productively in the past 24 hours. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Nikki Short

“I think both parties recognise that we’ve got to work harder to continue to get this resolved. No one’s walking way, no one is leaving the discussion.

“We’re not there right now, and I’m not going to say that we are - but we are certainly heading in a productive direction heading forward.”

Earlier on Tuesday, HSU secretary Gerard Hayes said he had texted NSW Premier Christ Minns at 5am that morning, and asked him to gather key decision makers, including Mr Park and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, to meet with HSU representatives to broker a deal.

Mr Hayes said Mr Minns appeared to think it was “a good idea”.

“Today, I’m calling on the government to get your decision makers together tomorrow. Our union and select representatives will meet with you at 9am tomorrow morning. We’ll stay in that room until the deal is done,” he told reporters on Tuesday morning.

“At the moment we’re getting close and then it gets undone by others who aren’t in the room.

“We need to have this resolved so the people of NSW have confidence so they can enjoy the new year as well as Christmas.”

HSU secretary Gerard Hayes has called for crisis talks to negotiate a pay deal before Christmas. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

Mr Park said negotiations between all government departments could continue over the next 24 hours, and said he had a “singular focus” on achieving a pay deal, and preventing a triple-0 breakdown.

“My single focus is making sure that through these discussions that are moving productively, we can see paramedics pay substantially increase, to recognise the professional role changes that they’ve experienced, and at the same time, ensure that triple-0 remains strong and robust for our community.”

As it stands, the union has rejected the government’s wage offer to increase take-home pay (which includes penalty rates, allowances and overtime) between 11 to 25 per cent over four years.

Instead, the HSU is calling for a 20 per cent increase to the base pay of paramedics, which would put them on pay parity with Queensland paramedics.

Mr Hayes said at this point, representatives for Mr Mookhey and Mr Minns had been missing from discussions.

HSU secretary Gerard Hayes said the long-running disputed needed to be resolved by Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

On Monday, Mr Park committed to continuing negotiations with the union but believed the government had presented a “strong” offer to paramedics.

“We remain at the table because we want to make sure they’re paid more, but at the same time we need to protect one of the bedrocks of our health system and that is triple-0,” he said.

“I know there’s a determination from myself, government and health to get this matter resolved.”

Speaking on ABC, Mr Minns urged paramedics to reconsider their registration boycott.

“We are not saying they have to accept our pay offer, but what we are saying is that if registrations don’t go ahead for paramedics in NSW, then triple-0 calls on the first of January will collapse and that will put lives at risk,” he said.

Originally published as NSW paramedics: HSU calls for crisis talks with NSW Premier, Treasurer and Health Minister to broker wage deal