‘We just want better opportunities, better pay and to not go into work feeling like we’re being put through a meat grinder’: Alice ambos say they’re at breaking point with negotiations

PARAMEDICS in Alice Springs say they are approaching their breaking point and are rallying support for bringing ambulance services under government

Alice Springs businesses have started putting up union corflutes in support of the paramedics who are advocating for the service to go under government

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PARAMEDICS in Alice Springs say they are approaching breaking point and are rallying support from the community to bring ambulance services under government control.

A paramedic, who did not want to be named, said ambos were attempting to negotiate new terms of their enterprise agreement with St John NT to improve working conditions in Alice Springs.

Negotiations include improving rostering, resources and for staff to receive allowances to reflect the increased cost of living.

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However, the paramedic said they could not see things “changing for the better”.

“We don’t want to seem greedy. We love the work we do as much as we get flogged, and we want to stay in the Territory,” they said.

“But we just want better opportunities, better pay and to not go into work feeling like we’re being put through a meat grinder … we think paramedics deserve better. We need to try to get the public service to take over.”

Alice Springs businesses have started putting up union corflutes in support of the paramedics who are advocating for the service to go under government.

Several Alice businesses have displayed union corflutes reading: “We’re here for you but who’s here for us? Bring your ambulance service under government”.

The Bakery owner Mel Darr and Page 27 cafe manager Kelly Edwards, who are both displaying the corflutes, said it was critical ambos be given sufficient support.

“It’s crazy, it’s not OK. They can’t strike, all they can do is create awareness,” Ms Darr said.

“The services are extremely essential. It’s essential that they stay current and updated, especially with situations like we’ve seen with COVID-19.”

St John NT ambulance services director Andrew Thomas said the organisation had been in negotiations with the United Workers Union since November 2018.

Alice Springs businesses have started putting up union corflutes in support of the paramedics who are advocating for the service to go under government.

“Recognising that our staff had not received a pay rise during this period, we provided all staff covered by the Ambulance Enterprise Agreement a 2 per cent pay rise in the pay period ending 20 February 2021,” Mr Thomas said.

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He said the current offer included a sign-on bonus, parental leave of up to 12 weeks, pro-rata

access to long service leave at seven years, professional development days, allowance and a 10 per cent wage increase over four years.*

Health Minister Natasha Fyles said a 2017 independent review found the service was operating satisfactorily and didn’t recommend the NT government take control of the service.

*The NT News previously did not report the 10 per cent wage increase over four years.

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