TIRED OF WAITING FOR THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO FINALISE THEIR WORKPLACE AGREEMENT, AMBULANCE TASMANIA STAFF ARE TAKING THEIR MESSAGE PATRONS OF DARK MOFO
Staff at Ambulance Tasmania have been waiting more than eighteen months for a new wages agreement with the State Government. Negotiations concluded in February, with an in principle agreement reached between the parties. The State Government is now refusing to finalise the agreement and put it to a vote of staff.
“Some of these dedicated people who look after our loved ones during medical emergencies, have not had a pay rise since 2013,” Acting HACSU State Secretary, Robbie Moore said.
“The State Government and the Minister continue to treat Ambulance Tasmania staff with contempt by refusing to honour the agreement that was reached in February this year. The action; or in this case, inaction, of government is deplorable,” Robbie Moore said.
“The State Government is trying to argue that the agreed wage increase is above the 2% per annum that is current government policy. This is untrue. The agreement provides the majority an overall increase of 5% over the life of the agreement. This equates to less than 2% each year of the agreement, and clearly below the government’s policy.”
Members of Ambulance Tasmania will be talking to people in the streets of Launceston on Friday 10 June and providing them with information on the industrial action that they are currently taking.
“Taking industrial action is always a serious matter,” Robbie Moore said.
“Our Members have reached a point where they are no longer prepared to wait for government to finalise the agreement. Members do not like taking industrial action, but feel they have no other choice.”
“Patient safety will not be compromised by the industrial action. Our Members will continue to be available to provide the high level of care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
HACSU’s Robbie Moore
