Industrial action has commenced across Ambulance Tasmania as a result of the Tasmanian government walking away from a deal with its own Paramedics.
An agreement was reached in April this year to start remunerating Community Paramedics, Police Ambulance Clinician Early Response and Secondary Triage Paramedics after they, in some cases, worked years in their role without any additional pay recognising the increased level of skill and responsibility associated with those roles.
At the eleventh hour, when staff were to be told their backpay figures, the government started walking away from the agreement. Last night, HACSU was advised that the government has indeed walked away from the deal to backpay staff.
Robbie Moore, HACSU State Secretary, said, “We don’t ever walk away from agreements reached with governments. This is the first government in modern Tasmanian history to do so with its own workforce. To be clear, we know that it is the Rockliff government who is walking away, not the Department of Health or Ambulance Tasmania.”
In addition to bans that have been put in place by the affected employees, HACSU’s Ambulance Executive last night passed a resolution banning any involvement or participation in the rollout or expansion of any Integrated Care activities across Tasmania, including, but not limited to, the further expansion of Community Paramedics into rural Tasmania – except where an employee’s role.
HACSU Ambulance members are furious at the government’s decision. An extract from the resolution endorsed by the Union Executive last night sums up members’ feelings about what has just happened.
"The HACSU Ambulance Employees Sub-Branch Executive is disappointed in the broken trust which has now occurred between the Tasmanian government and its Ambulance workforce.
Our members save the lives of Tasmanians on a daily basis, often under the most difficult of circumstances. To be betrayed by our own employer, who owes so much to us, is a devastating blow. When we reach an agreement, we expect it to be honoured, as this government would.”
Members will meet again to discuss further action should the dispute remain unresolved.