Media release – Health and Community Services Union, 9 December 2024
Critical staff shortages in Ambulance Communications lead to industrial action
Over recent months, critical staff shortages have seriously affected Ambulance Tasmania’s capacity to always ensure that emergency calls are responded to immediately. The shortages have been so bad that at times both long and short-term vacancies have meant that all triple zero call takers’ positions on the roster have been vacant for certain shifts.
Ambulance Communications staff have consistently demonstrated flexibility, willingly adjusting their shifts at short notice to address critical staffing shortages. However, employees feel their goodwill has been exploited by management.
After initially agreeing to compensate staff for short-term shift changes, management – without any consultation – last week withdrew this arrangement that would see these shortages addressed until new staff are trained and become operational.
Staff are tired of being guilted into changing their rosters at short notice and having to turn their lives upside down to address an issue not of their own making.
As we head into the Christmas period, with the usual increase in demand, Communications Officers have decided to implement industrial action.
“These circumstances cannot be allowed to continue as we enter the Christmas holiday period,” said Becc Gibson, HACSU Delegate and Communications Officer.
“Staff are extremely angry at the current circumstances which Ambulance Tasmania don’t appear to consider serious. Last week we asked for an urgent meeting and were told to wait until 12 December. Our members are exhausted and sick and tired of being treated this way,” she added.
“Industrial action will not affect any triple zero responses from the Ambulance Communications Centre. The action relates to the process management will need to implement to seek approval for short-term shift changes and how our members should be compensated,” said Robbie Moore HACSU State Secretary.
“Additional bans have been implemented today to remove additional workload from Communications Centre staff until this dispute is resolved,” he added.
Media release – Cecily Rosol MP, Greens Health Spokesperson, 10 December 2024
Greens support striking Ambulance Tasmania workers
The Greens stand with Ambulance Tasmania communications workers taking industrial action over staff shortages and an apparent walking back of compensation payments for short notice shift changes.
It’s incredibly worrying to hear that staff shortages are affecting Ambulance Tasmania’s capacity to respond to emergency calls. Ambulance Tasmania communication workers provide a vital service, ensuring Tasmanians in need of urgent healthcare can access the treatment they need.
Staff shortages are leaving workers exhausted. They should, at the very least, continue to be compensated for the last-minute shift changes they’re dealing with to try and fill staff shortages.
The Liberal Government must do more to address these staffing shortages, for the workers on the frontline and for Tasmanians in need of urgent healthcare.
