Australian Paramedics Association Queensland industrial relations adviser Efthimia Voulcaris says paramedics are underpaid and have been failed by their union. Source: News Limited
A THIRD of Queensland’s frontline ambulance officers have ditched their union – one of the most powerful and oldest in the state.
United Voice, which dates back 100 years, is fighting to halt the exodus.
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Almost 1000 paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers and patient transport officers have backed an application to register their own representative body.
The Australian Paramedics Association Qld has been helping its members in an industrial capacity without the ability to participate in enterprise bargaining and award negotiations.
However, APAQ has now lodged an application for registration as an industrial organisation of employees.
This is before the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission and other parties have 35 days to lodge any objections.
United Voice said it would strongly oppose the application.
It said it had worked hard for ambulance staff and urged them to remain loyal as being members of a large union provided access to resources and funds needed to run massive campaigns like the recently established Code One campaign in Queensland.
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APAQ told The Courier-Mail ambulance personnel had turned to it because of a “work value crisis’’.
Association industrial relations adviser Efthimia Voulcaris said paramedics were underpaid for their level of skill and the union had failed to achieve suitable wage increases.
Most paramedics have an annual base wage of between $58,052 and $60,737.
“The role and responsibilities of a paramedic, including skills, drug administration and pre-hospital lifesaving responsibilities has been increased without those changes adequately reflected in wages,’’ Ms Voulcaris said.
“Over the past 50 years, few new industrial unions have been registered under Queensland Law.
“However, APAQ has a strong body of evidence to establish that it has the capacity to provide specialised efficient services to its members, as well as undertaking the work value assessment that the registered union has refused to deliver.”