Paramedics campaigning against the Napthine government, including one pictured on the side of Daniel Andrews’ election campaign bus, are facing disciplinary action.
In what the paramedics’ union has described as a “program of intimidation” one week out from the election, Ambulance Victoria managers have started questioning paramedics who feature in union posters and leaflets that criticise the government, or who are distributing the material while dressed in their uniforms.
Daniel Andrews’ election campaign bus. Photo: Eddie Jim
One paramedic who appears in posters attacking Premier Denis Napthine over the “ambulance crisis” has been issued a formal warning and four others have been asked to meet managers this week to discuss potential misconduct.
It comes as Liberal candidates have reportedly started photographing paramedics who are campaigning against them on the hustings. Health Minister David Davis said he was aware of a “number of cases of unionists intimidating and harassing” Liberal candidates – a claim secretary of the paramedics union, Steve McGhie, said was “unfounded”.
Paramedic Louise Creasey has been disciplined for participating in a union campaign about the Napthine government’s management of the ambulance service. Photo: Supplied
Mr McGhie said two of the paramedics targeted by Ambulance Victoria for disciplinary action had been handing out union leaflets at the Drysdale market recently; one had been photographed holding a “Value Our Ambos” banner at the Liberal Party’s campaign launch in Ballarat; and another appears on the side of Daniel Andrews’ campaign bus along with a fireman and a nurse.
All of them were wearing their uniforms at the time of the alleged misconduct. Some of the leaflets urge people to preference the Liberal Party last when they vote.
The paramedic who has been issued a formal warning, Louise Creasey, appears in her uniform in posters and leaflets that say “1 in 4 ambulances won’t make it in time”.
The posters, which appear on bus shelters, also say: “Support our paramedics, vote to end the ambulance crisis” and direct people to the website of the Victorian Trades Hall Council which supports the Labor party.
Louise Creasey. Photo: Supplied
Mr McGhie accused Ambulance Victoria of a “program of intimidation to stop paramedics speaking out” ahead of next week’s election and said they were entitled to wear their uniforms in such circumstances under protected industrial action designed to improve their pay and conditions.
He said a Fair Work Commission order issued last year during enterprise bargaining negotiations with Ambulance Victoria allowed paramedics to wear uniforms “at public events and when appearing in videos, blogs and in other social media for an unlimited duration”.
“This is Ambulance Victoria doing the Napthine government’s dirty work,” he said.
Mr McGhie has demanded AV withdraw its warning against Ms Creasey and abandon disciplinary action against the other paramedics.
But Ambulance Victoria CEO Greg Sassella said AV was an “apolitical public sector organisation” and that wearing uniforms for such activities was not protected industrial action.
“While we acknowledge the rights of paramedics to campaign as part of the ongoing enterprise agreement negotiations, they are required to ‘conduct themselves in an apolitical manner’ under the public sector code of conduct and are not entitled to wear their uniforms outside of their normal role without approval,” he said.
Mr Sassella said Victoria Police had also recently advised all emergency services personnel not to wear uniforms other than when on duty due to the increased national security alert.
“We have written to the union and advised our employees of our position and are acting on breaches of policy when they occur.”