APA (NSW) Member Update
Dear Member,
APA (NSW) has received multiple complaints from members with regards to the current uniform and the negative work health and safety concerns stemming from use in hot and/or humid conditions. NSWA has been notified of these concerns and APA (NSW) has been assured that the solution is a work in progress.
APA (NSW) welcomes this acknowledgement, however it does not resolve the immediate health impacts and discomfort that paramedics are facing.
As always, APA (NSW) encourages members to take steps to ensure their health and safety in accordance with the WHS legislation and one option for members who are unable to wear the uniform as prescribed is to wear the following NSWA issued uniform items:
If paramedics are questioned as to the reason for the change in uniform, the questioning party can be referred to this update and/or the APA (NSW) Executive. If such questioning is deemed inappropriate by a member, the incident should be documented in the IIMS portal and reported to your relevant APA (NSW) Liaison Officer.
Importantly, please note this information is not geographically dependent. If your nearby delegate is unavailable, please call APA (NSW) office on (02) 9564 3261.
Regards,
APA (NSW) Executive
Your Choice, Your Voice
Keep up to date with APA (NSW) news at www.apansw.com.au/News
A printable copy of this update may be found here.
NSW Ambulance (NSWA) continues to bury their head in the sand when it comes to our uniform.
The current polyester uniform, including the short-sleeved shirt, has been causing work health and safety concerns for
several members in hot and/or humid climates. This is unacceptable.
Today the Australian Paramedics Association (NSW) are commencing industrial action to stand against the announced wage cut by the Premier. For months, Paramedics and other essential workers put our lives and the lives of our families at risk to look after the people of New South Wales during the COVIID-19 Pandemic.
The NSW Premier’s announcement to freeze the pay of public sector workers for 12 months is disgraceful. Paramedics and our frontline colleagues have been used, yet again, as scapegoats for this Government. We are praised as heroes for our hard work, and in the same breath served a pay cut that will ultimately send our wages backwards.