Vic: Ambos warn of strike action over paramedic fatigue

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2009
Vic: Ambos warn of strike action over paramedic fatigue

Reissuing to clarify reference to other states' rest break allowances in second paragraph



MELBOURNE, April 23 AAP - Weary Victorian paramedics are preparing to stage their first
mass strike in 36 years after failing to win an agreement from the state government on
longer rest breaks.

Victoria and Western Australia are the only states that give paramedics only eight
hours' rest between shifts, while most other states allow paramedics at least 10-hour
breaks, an ambulance union analysis shows.

Ambulance Employees Australia Victorian secretary Steve McGhie said a major sticking
point was a refusal by Ambulance Victoria to support a minimum of 10 hours' rest between
shifts.

"Victorian ambos face extreme workloads. Many work more than 15 hours straight, often
without meal breaks, and then need to be back working eight hours later," Mr McGhie said.

"Our survey last year found many get just five hours sleep between shifts. Many are
falling asleep driving and making clinical errors because of their relentless workload
and lack of sleep between shifts.

"For an entire year, we've negotiated in good faith for proper breaks and fair wages.

We have got nowhere.

"Paramedics don't want to take industrial action, but it seems they've been left with
no other way to fix this dangerous situation."

The union is calling on Victorian Health Minister Daniel Andrews to intervene in the
talks but warned paramedics were already preparing an application for an industrial action
ballot.

It also cited a 2007 inquest in which Victorian coroner Peter White ruled paramedics
had been "fatigue-affected" when they administered the wrong drug to a 78-year-old cardiac
patient.

WorkSafe Victoria says shift breaks of less than 10 hours are a fatigue hazard.

"Paramedics in NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Northern Territory and the ACT all
get 10-hour rest breaks between shifts," Mr McGhie said.

"I am certain Victorians would also want their ambos to be properly rested when they
are on duty."

AAP sjm/gfr/jl

KEYWORD: AMBULANCE VIC (WITH FACTBOX) REISSUING

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