COVID-19: What we've won and why we need to fight to keep it

COVID-19

What we've won and why we need to fight to keep it

COVID-19 has been hard on everyone. Paramedics have been on the frontline of the crisis, often with unclear guidance on their Personal Protective Equipment requirements, leave entitlements, and hospital handover procedures.

APA (NSW) delegates have been fighting hard to achieve some key outcomes for staff. Some fights we haven’t won, and these are continuing. However, we have had some important changes to your working conditions, and we are going to have to fight hard to make sure these remain in place.

Mobile Make Ready Teams

APA (NSW) fought hard to get Mobile Make Ready Teams up and running. These teams reduce hospital wait times and help staff on alternative duties stay engaged with their friends and colleagues while not on road. These teams should be permanent fixtures of every hospital.

Updated equipment

The push to get more cars on road led to new ambulances being built by NSW Ambulance. These ambulances will feature Lucas devices, EZIOs and new carry chairs with caterpillar legs. While these cars are going to be Intensive Care Paramedic cars, we will be closely monitoring the impact of the new equipment and will be advocating the roll out to all ambulances.

Accommodation

After successful advocacy by the APA (NSW) Executive, NSW Health agreed to provide Paramedics with accommodation if they required it due to COVID-19. We need this to be available to any Paramedic who believes they have been exposed to a viral disease at work.

Station cleaning

APA (NSW) delegates have been fighting for years and years to achieve regular station cleaning for all stations, including rural stations.

Presumptive Workers Compensation

After great work from APA (NSW) Executive and Greens MP David Shoebridge, an amendment was passed through Parliament ensuring that if you contracted COVID-19 you would automatically be entitled to workers compensation.

Parking

APA (NSW) members at the SAC successfully ensured that they would have access to free parking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now we need to fight to make sure no Paramedic has to pay for parking again.

PARAMEDICS AND CONTROL CENTRE OFFICERS (STATE) AWARD

INDUSTRIAL QUIZ

You're transferring stations, and you are told that you have to use up your annual leave before you can transfer. Is this correct?

Answer

While it is common practice for staff to be asked to use up their excess annual leave before transferring, you cannot be forced to take leave without six months notice. You can only be directed to take leave if you have an excess balance. This is covered under Section 5, Clause 29 (e) (iv), which states "at least six months' notice shall be given to employees of the date on which they shall take their annual leave"