Ambulance industrial action: Tamworth ambulance staff to take 'historic' industrial action over pay claim

The Health Services Union announced on Wednesday that on June 10 union members will take what it called an "historic, statewide stand" over an "attempt to cut their pay".

Ambulances in the North West will only attend the most urgent, life threatening emergencies on June 10.

HSU delegate for the New England Brian Bridges said it was the most serious industrial action he'd taken in nearly 37 years as a paramedic.

READ MORE:

"Not to this extent, we have had strikes in the past but they've generally just been like an elimination process. This is historic because it's the first time for strike action," he said.

"Never been this level before. The government has driven us to this with no alternative."

The stoush is over pay.

HSU NSW Secretary Gerard Hayes said paramedics were last year awarded a pay increase of just 0.3 per cent. In 2021 the state government offered an increase of just 1.5 per cent. Both raises were too small to keep up with inflation.

He said the offer was a "pay cut".

"NSW paramedics are at breaking point. They're not trying to get rich. They just want a fair pay rise that recognises the cost of living and the intensity of their work," he said.

Mr Bridges said it was hard for paramedics to know some people will call triple zero and not get an ambulance.

Medical emergencies are classed into several categories. Ambulances will only respond to call-outs classed as 1a, 1b or 1c, he said.

But it's harder to be offered a "humiliating and insulting" pay cut, he said.

"It's gut wrenching. We're a registered professional organisation now and we deserve remuneration for what we do. I've been a paramedic for nearly 37 years and this is the worst I have seen it. It's all about take, take, take from the government's perspective and we're not recognised for what we do," he said.

Mr Hayes said the industrial action would cause "significant disruption" but that the union has flagged the action well in advance to avoid affecting life threatening emergencies.

"Dominic Perrottet can avert all of this by coming to the table with a fair pay offer. He is swimming in cheap money and stamp duty revenue. He simply needs to provide paramedics a fair day's pay for a fair day's work," he said.

Want more local news? Subscribe to the Leader to read it here first

A spokesperson for NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said that the impacts of the pandemic are still being felt across the economy.

"Last month the full bench of the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW reaffirmed the Government's plan to prioritise job-creation to keep as many people in jobs as possible as we get our economy back on its feet," he said.

"The government is focused is on maintaining its first-class health response, which has allowed NSW to lead the nation's economic recovery from the pandemic."

Mr Bridges said about 70 per cent of local paramedics are members of the union, and non-members will also be expected to take part in the industrial action.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: