Current Issues: matters your Delgates have currently raised with NSWA

INDUSTRIAL UPDATE

Current issues APA (NSW) delegates have raised with NSW Ambulance

REGIONAL ECP AND ICP POSITIONS

APA (NSW) has been fighting hard to strengthen and expand the ICP and ECP programs. We want more Paramedics to be able to get ICP and ECP qualifications WITHOUT having to relocate to Sydney for two years. Across the state, APA (NSW) delegates are meeting with their local members of Parliament to ask that they advocate for the Paramedics in their communities. If you’re keen to get involved in this campaign, email catherine. treloar@apansw.com.au

PART-TIME PARAMEDIC GRADUATES

APA (NSW) has significant concerns regarding NSW Ambulance’s proposal to force graduates into part time roles. Sadly, the NSWA proposal can only be seen as a cost saving exercise at the expense of employees. Contact: catherine. treloar@apansw.com.au

OCCUPATIONAL VIOLENCE

During the first and only consultation meeting on the Occupational Violence Standard Operating Procedure, APA (NSW) insisted that staff be stood down after any incident of violence to complete an IMS+ report. NSWA published the policy without responding to this feedback. If NSWA is actually taking occupational violence seriously, they must have a mandatory stand down period. APA (NSW) will continue to fight for NSWA to take OV seriously and support their staff in meaningful ways. We have called for this policy to be retracted and meaningful consultation to take place. Contact: catherine.treloar@ apansw.com.au

CRIB BREAKS

Increasingly, APA (NSW) is hearing reports that cribs are: being broken for low acuity work, missed for low acuity work or area cover, and refused after the crib window has passed. APA (NSW)’s advice to our members is clear: unless the job is a priority 1 or a 2 immediate, you are entitled to your crib. If you are forced to go to the job, call your DOM and get them to get in touch with the control centre. If you miss your crib window, you are still entitled to the crib. This is a work health and safety issue. No one should work twelve

Exec members Gary Wilson and Brendan McIlveen at Rozelle, advocating for increasing MOLs statewide

Delegates Darren Rudd, Lucas Hawkins and Nick Jones consulting on the new 4WD fit-out in December

hours without even a single break. Check our website and social media for examples of phrasing you can use to decline a request to go to a job.

ACCOMMODATION

After representations made by APA (NSW), NSWA finally acknowledged that Rozelle was not up to the three star standard required from the employer. They can only ask staff to stay there for short overnight stays, but even this is not adequate and cannot be made mandatory. You should never be asked to stay there for any training course, including induction, ICP upgrade, and other similar courses. When putting in your travel forms, put in an accommodation form, requesting a nearby motel or hotel of a 3 star standard. Contact: catherine.treloar@ apansw.com.au

DUAL CREWING WORK INSTRUCTION

We are continuing to hold NSWA to account for forcing Paramedics to respond single. To help us do this, we are recording instances of single responses across the state.

Use our QR code to report your experiences of being left or responded single:

VERITAS AUTO HOLDS

APA (NSW) has been consulting with NSWA about the rollout of Veritas, a software program that automatically holds claims for payments if there are ANY discrepencies with their system. While we have been successful in some areas, NSWA continues to refuse to share readily available information or to commit to pay people in line with Clause 11(d) of the Award, using historical failures to support future breaches. Contact: tilak.nabi@apansw. com.au

UNIFORMS

APA (NSW) has continued to advocate for an appropriate summer uniform for staff. We welcomed the recent announcement of Ambulance's intent to 'trial' optional shorts over the coming months, but are still awaiting confirmation of how long this trial will run and whether it will also include new polo shirts. At present, if the hot weather proves a safety risk, you can modify your uniform as required. On scene, you must be identifiable as a Paramedic and highly visible. We recommend wearing your cap and high vis vest over your Ambulance-issued t-shirt. Contact: catherine.treloar@ apansw.com.au