ASU Forces Ambulance Service to Pay

Date: 05 February 2002

The NSW Ambulance Service has been forced into discussions with the Australian Services Union following a recommendation by Justice Boland that the Service pay clerical and admin staff a wage increase that was scheduled for 1 January 2002.

The ASU is arguing that the increase be paid immediately, despite a belated bid by the Ambulance Service regarding productivity savings. "Justice Boland agrees with our concern that the Ambulance Service did not advise of any need for productivity savings until after 1 January this year," said ASU Secretary Michael Want.

Last week members voted to implement workbans effective tomorrow unless the wage increase was paid. "The Industrial Relations Commission has recommended we meet with the Ambulance Service on Friday to discuss their call for productivity savings," explained Mr Want.

"The Ambulance service has been understaffed and clerical and admin staff have been working long and unreasonable hours. It is unbelievable that the Ambulance Service is demanding productivity savings - in fact we may ask the Ambulance Service to assess what extra they owe our members," said Mr Want.

The Union believes that the Ambulance Service is being discriminatory in denying clerical workers a wage increase while other employees of the NSW Ambulance Service and the Health Department have received this increase. "There is no doubt that our members are crucial to the Ambulance Service and we believe that it is about time their skills and contribution is acknowledged," said Michael Want.

Following the meeting on Friday both parties are required to report back to Justice Boland next Tuesday. Workbans are scheduled to begin tomorrow however the ASU will meet with members shortly to discuss Justice Boland's recommendations.

For further details contact ASU Secretary Michael Want on (02) 9265 8211 or 0409 128 164.

For further information

Contact:	Michael Want
Union:	Australian Services Union NSW Clerical & Administrative Branch
Phone:	(02) 9265 8211
Fax:	(02) 9261 2265
Email:	office@asuclerical-nsw.asn.au
WWW:	http://asuclerical-nsw.asn.au/

LaborNET is proudly created, designed and programmed
by Social Change Online for the Labor Council of NSW
[Credits] [Site Matters]