A NEW offer of tens of millions of dollars in pay rises to thousands of paramedics – plus a $4.5 million bonus just for signing it – has been snubbed by their union. The updated government offer, which included a $3000 sign-on bonus for about 3000 ambulance employees – double the previous bonus of $1500 – was put to the union late on Wednesday. But Ambulance Employees Australia state secretary Steve McGhie said the increase would not solve the dispute, which has now dragged on for 23 months. “It’s not an offer we can recommend to our members. But we are still prepared to meet with them and try to negotiate,” Mr McGhie said. “After a very brief read of the 35-page document they’ve sent to us this afternoon, there are still items in there that have been previously rejected,” Mr McGhie said. “Just because they increase the sign-on fee may not mean this will resolve the dispute.” The Herald Sun can reveal the State Government has employed an extra 539 full-time-equivalent paramedics since coming to office, exceeding its election promise to employ an additional 310 paramedics and 30 patient transport officers. Premier Denis Napthine and Health Minister David Davis announced details of the new offer on Wednesday. A 35-page document given to the union at the same time said the deal would expire if not accepted before August 22.