Campbelltown paramedics from Health Services Union join boycott and say cost of their working-with-children check should be paid by their employer and not them

CAMPBELLTOWN mem­bers of a paramedics’ union have joined a boycott of paying the $80 fee for their working-with-children check.

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CAMPBELLTOWN mem­bers of a paramedics’ union have joined a boycott of paying the $80 fee for their working-with-children check.

Health Services Union Ambulance Division’s metropolitan Sydney organiser Scott Taylor said the State Government, through NSW Ambulance’s human resources, had stated that all paramedics, their managers and educators would be removed from duty if they did not pay the $80 fee by the end of March, which he called “ridiculous”.

“We think the public will see this for what it is: extortion,’’ he said.

He called on residents to support paramedics from the Campbelltown station who were taking a stand against the fee.

HSU NSW secretary Gerard Hayes said this impost on paramedics was unfair and the organisation would continue to campaign against it.

“It’s simply extraordinary that unless we pay our employer $80 we will be removed from duty. Especially when we already have a chronic shortfall of paramedics in Sydney’s south west.

“This sort of routine expense is no different to any other routine expense such as training, uniforms or equipment. It should be borne by government.”

Australian Paramedics Association NSW president Steve Pearce said members from his organisation were also concerned they and not their employer would have to pay the fee.

“The Australian Paramedics Association wants to be positive about child safety and we have no concern about the check but our members are saying to us the fee should be employer-paid,’’ he said.

“Paramedics are working at capacity and they have bills to pay, and it’s important that the government step up and pay the fee.’’

He said police officers were also subject to a working-with-children check but the cost was paid by their employer and the same should apply for paramedics.

A NSW Ambulance spokesman said the check had been fazed in since 2013 for all NSW Government agencies and the $80 fee was tax deductible for employees who were required to apply for this check.

“NSW Ambulance is one of the last agencies to be subject to the check which will see paramedics brought into line with other health workers,’’ he said.

He said the working-with-children check is a legislative requirement managed by the Children’s Guardian for anyone in child-related work in NSW.

“NSW Ambulance does not apply for or pay for working-with-children checks,’’ he said.