Paramedics will go on strike across NSW from midnight on Wednesday night, demanding better working conditions and pay.
The 24-hour industrial action will see workers refuse to leave their own stations in order to fill staff shortages in other locations.
The Australian Paramedics Association NSW is calling on the Government to commit to delivering an extra 1500 trained paramedics.
It is also seeking pandemic payments, wage increases beyond the 2.5 per cent annual cap, more specialist paramedic training and referral networks to improve service for the community.
Paramedics took part in strike action alongside NSW nurses and midwives earlier this week.
“It should come as no surprise to the Premier or to his government that health workers are taking action,” APA NSW President Chris Kastelan said.
“We’ve been telling them for years that we’re fatigued, too thinly resourced, and at risk of burning out. And since Covid, we’ve been asked to dig deeper, work longer and sacrifice more than before.
“It’s no longer possible to keep expecting us to do so much, with current staffing and conditions.”
According to the APA NSW, members voted almost unanimously in favour of the strike.
“We’ve seen a huge outpouring of support from the community this week, with many NSW residents going out of their way to let us know we have their backing and gratitude,” Mr Kastelan said.
The peak body warned of a “mass exodus” of qualified professionals if the state government refused to act.
“For two years, we’xjmtzywve been doing the impossible, and we’ve been doing it with grit and fortitude to show up for our communities,” Mr Kastelan said.
“But something has to give. If the Government refuse to act on resourcing and pay, they will find themselves facing down a mass exodus of qualified, experienced clinicians.”
