Tuesday 12 December 2017
Dear Member,
As you know, APA (NSW) has been consulting with NSWA with respect to uniform issues.
Unfortunately, after almost a year, there has been very little progress. NSWA have flat out refused to consult about appropriate summer uniform items such as polo shirts and shorts. With respect to the new work shirts to be rolled out, NSWA have advised us today that staff in the Northern, Western and Hunter New England areas will get two new shirts in mid-January 2018. Not only does this mean that staff will have to wear unsafe work shirts for half of summer but when the new shirts finally arrive, you will only have two despite majority of staff in the areas being required to work in the summer heat for 8 days straight.
Further, to our absolute dismay, NSWA have advised us that the rest of the State (ie. the majority of paramedics) will not receive new shirts until May 2018. This means most paramedics will not have an adequate uniform for the entire summer. This is NOT good enough.
APA (NSW) have written off formally to NSWA and requested that a disputes committee be convened urgently to address the issues with the uniform committee. We will keep members updated on the progress of the dispute.
APA (NSW) is genuinely concerned about the welfare of our members going into the hotter months. As advised previously, we encourage you to take any steps necessary to ensure your work health and safety, including modifying your uniform (ie. t-shirts and vests) and refusing to work due to heat stress. We also strongly encourage members who are facing uniform issues to document a notification in the IIMS portal under ‘WHS problem’ category.
Should any members face any difficulties as a result of implementing WHS measures, please immediately contact your APA (NSW) Liaison Officer.
Regards,
APA (NSW) Executive Your Choice, Your Voice
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A printable copy of this update may be found here.
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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.
