Burnt out paramedics will go on strike across NSW from midnight on Wednesday, 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 state 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 training and referral networks to improve services.
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,” paramedic union 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.”
Paramedic union 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.
A NSW Ambulance spokesperson said the most recent state budget included funding for an additional 700 paramedics and 50 control centre staff.
They also said plans were in place during the industrial action to minimise disruptions.
“NSW Ambulance values and acknowledges the work of all paramedics and control centre staff who have worked so hard over the last two years of the COVID-19 paramedic,” the spokesperson said.
“Our staff have been on the frontline and we thank them for all they have done and continue to do.”
Mr Kastelan warned of a “mass exodus”xjmtzyw of qualified professionals if the state government refused to act.
“For two years, we’ve been doing the impossible, and we’ve been doing it with grit and fortitude to show up for our communities,” he 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.”
The NSW Government allocated $214 million in the 2021-22 Budget for a new Ambulance Operations Centre at Sydney Olympic Park.
