The Victorian Ambulance Union (VAU) has been in negotiations with Ambulance Victoria (AV) for a new enterprise agreement for over a year. The VAU’s primary focus is on retaining experienced personnel and establishing a long-term career path in the ambulance service. A recent survey conducted by Swinburne and RMIT highlights concerning trends among AV paramedics.
The survey suggests a significant increase in members seeking new employment opportunities, rising from nine per cent in 2020 to 20 per cent in 2024.
The number of paramedics contemplating leaving the profession has surged from 29 per cent in 2020 to a staggering 57 per cent in 2024.
Respondents expressed dissatisfaction with AV’s approach to work-life balance, with only five per cent agreeing that the organisation values measures to promote it. Trust in senior management has hit a record low, with only three to eight per cent of respondents expressing confidence in their sincerity, decision-making, and trustworthiness.
The survey, conducted in late 2023, follows a comprehensive review into workforce culture by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC). Despite AV’s initiatives, including spending over $500,000 on new workplace values and promises of improvement to work-life balance, the survey suggests tangible outcomes are still elusive.
In response to AV’s rejection of most claims and an inferior offer, VAU has applied to the Fair Work Commission for a Protected Action Ballot Order. This would enable paramedics and ambulance workers to take protected industrial action, applying pressure for an improved offer.
The proposed actions include targeted stop-work actions across key locations, refusal of clinical instruction duties by MICA paramedics, refusal to collect billing details, and refusal to complete hospital tasks. Additionally, campaign messages will be displayed on ambulance vehicles, and beacons will be activated if ambulances are ramped at hospitals for over 40 minutes. These actions aim to inform the public about the challenges faced by the ambulance service without compromising patient or public safety.
VAU Secretary Danny Hill expressed concern over the survey results, emphasising the need for better work-life balance, manageable workloads, and retaining experienced staff.
“Ambos are dedicated to saving lives, but they deserve to have a life too,” he said.
“Members will be taking targeted stop work action in key parts of the organisation, and members will use that time to speak to the media.
“We are going to open the book on AV budget cuts and resourcing gaps firsthand, not from a bureaucrat, a politician, or a union boss, you will hear it from the most trusted profession who live it every day.”
