BY JARROD MELMETH
Paramedics across the state will be walking off the job on June 10 for 24 hours, only responding to life threatening and emergency situations.
The action comes off the back of the NSW Governments “paltry” 0.3 per cent pay rise offer.
The issue of pay among health workers has been a point of contention between the Unions and the government for some time.
Mick Callinan from the Health Services Union says the current situation in NSW is unacceptable.
“Paramedics in NSW are the lowest paid paramedics in the country. We have to pay for all of our registration and professional costs as well as our own education.
“We aren’t normally ones to take this sort of action and for us to be pushed to this point, everyone has just had enough of the constant workload and lack of respect,” Mr Callinan said.
Health Minister Brad Hazard says he hopes for a mutually positive outcome.
“Me personally, I am happy to have discussions and I am having discussions with the Health Services Union.
“The HSU represents the majority of the paramedics and of course we will continue those discussions and if we can find a reasonable resolution, we will see how that plays out,” Mr Hazzard said.
On Wednesday The Nurses and Midwives Association announced staff would walk out en masse for 24 hours at Belmont Hospital and the Mental Health Centre at Waratah.
The nurses action was about advocating for safer nurse-to-patient ratios which the government has to date refused.
NSW Nurses and Midwives Association General Secretary Brett Holmes said industrial action does not come lightly.
“Our members are exhausted and tired of feeling taken for granted.
“The past year has exacerbated ongoing staffing issues and taken a heavy toll on many nurses and midwives,” Mr Holmes said.