Paramedics pay dispute: Ambulance union warns of consequences for “betrayal”

The Andrews Government has been put on notice by Paramedics, who feel betrayed over an “attack on their pay”. With paramedics warning the rumbling feud could erupt in a reignition a bitter industrial war.

Paramedics have warned the Andrews Government that its new pay offer is a betrayal that could reignite a bitter industrial war and the “Code Red” campaign. Picture: Mark Stewart

Paramedics have warned the Andrews Government that its new pay offer is a betrayal that could reignite a bitter industrial war and the “Code Red” campaign.

Ambulance Employees Australia says the 2 per cent a year increase offered by the government would push paramedics back down the national pay scale and see them earn less than interstate colleagues.

In 2014, Premier Daniel Andrews swept to office declaring he would end the “war on paramedics” and make them the best paid ambos in the country.

That was after a bitter and public dispute between paramedics and the then-Napthine Government known as the “Code Red” campaign.

United Voice, which has recently absorbed the AEA, has been negotiating with Ambulance Victoria for a new workplace agreement that expired earlier this year.

Paramedics have warned the Andrews Government that its new pay offer is a betrayal that could reignite a bitter industrial war and the “Code Red” campaign.

UV state secretary Ben Redford said Victorian members are currently at the top of the paramedic pay scale across Australia but under the government’s offer would slip behind Queensland colleagues next year and behind other states within a few years.

“Paramedics feel betrayed by Premier Andrews and his attack on their pay,” he said.

“His insulting two per cent wage offer is below other states like Queensland and New South Wales. It will see our hardworking ambos pushed back to the bottom, and threatens to reignite our bitter ambulance crisis,” he said.

Mr Redford said before a work-value case readjusted paramedic pay in Victoria in the middle of this decade, experienced paramedics were moving interstate, there was ramping at hospitals, and there was community outrage about unsatisfactory emergency response times.

The government is facing a series of tough negotiations with public sector unions over the next few months, including police and firefighters.

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Industrial Relations Minister Tim Pallas revealed earlier this year a new policy aimed at capping pay rises at 2 per cent a year.

Since then, unions have released logs of claims that have included pay hike proposals of 4-6 per cent a year.

A spokesman for the Victorian Government said paramedics played a “critical role” in keeping the community safe, and their work was valued.

“Positive conversations are underway and ongoing,” he said.

“We won’t be conducting these negotiations through the media.”

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TOP 5 CLAIMS

— 6% pay increase

— Uninterrupted meal breaks, unless critical

— Better scheduling to ensure work/life balance

— Salary tiers to 15 years

— Access to preferred branch and location swaps