Hi there, fellow ambo's.
How many times can we be shafted? Ripped off pay wise, ripped off workload wise, under-staffed, over-worked, treated like shit in general by management, not looked after by the State Government, not to mention a piss-weak union.
A few of us have put together this site to allow real ambos to have their say, unfiltered by bosses, governments or union reps. You can have your say, too, in the comments. Join in; we really want to hear from you (even if you disagree with what we say). You can also contact us at realambo.gmail.com.
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5,605 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 601 – 800 of 5605 Newer› Newest»I agree with Dennis
iam out to
south coast
So what are you going to do when you leave HSU?
This will be funny!
Why would you inform the media?
There are fuck all of you going.
Scabs
so why do you think we need the HSU stevo,?,maybe you can enlighted me,on why I should stay.
If you can give me 10 good reasons why, I will leave the blogg forever.
why is everyone so scared of leaving the HSU?
You wont get the sack,you will have a pay rise of 21 dollars afortnight,you wont have contiued dissappointment with bad news from the HSU.
you will be able to run your own race against the government and the svc.
We wont have to listen to whinging about M.Williamson.which everyone does!
if we put our own demands on the Government then we will have a better chance of getting what we are worth.Or are you not that guttsy Stevo!!!
well it all sounds pretty good to me.
Dont forget Stevo get your resignation in mate or you will miss out,on seeing the light.
Dennis.R.
So what demands do you think were put on the government before/
They were ours. Why would this be any different?
Did you forget, members noted to stop the industrial action.
and you are dennis who?
So we just start our own union?, just like that?
Gee it sounds so simple.
It must be that simple.
yes members did agree to take of bans off at the mass meeting but the day before the 12 delegats agree to keep them on.
Do you think that with only a few who bothered to turn up(mass meeting) where told that their delegate agreed to keep bans on..No
that mass meeting was nothing but a sob storey from the HSU,to con the many young that it would be wise to stop bans.
I quote,
we dont want to upset the very people who will decide on your pay claim , i quote.being the IRC.
I dont hear from the IRC offering to paying my bills and my morgage and my food for my family do you hear them?
sure the ideal situation would be to stay with the union.Only if the union are going to fight for us.
weren't you insulted by the post card with another ambo on it from another country.come on we are Australias aren't we,well i know iam.
Iam proud to be an ambo,i have put alot of work into being an ambo in my own time
Iam entilted to be looked after if iam injured,I would like to have projected roster for any type of leave,wouldnt you.This is just not about money I want to have D&D in black and white.The defence force have had it for many many years.they dont have to go out and put bans on.
we shouldn't have to either,but the reality is we do and in the future we will have to again,and again and so it goes on.it wont matter what government is in power we will still have to.
as for who iam
iam Dennis.R. thats who iam !!!!
who are you when you are in the real world.?????
Well Stevo you can start your own union if you wish,I plan to go with the nurses myself.would you like to join me?????
Dennis.R.
Dennis,
you sound like a scab
if you can get 75% to join another union and all 75% have left the HSU ,then yes it is that simple!!!.
show others the way and more and more will follow.
from
Roadrunner
Nurses cant take us. Too expensive to take us over. Check for youself. We are worth big bucks!But we can get active!No charge and other things to come. Hang in there troops, we are the good guys! Work it!
Nurses association wont poach us,
Im a RN as well, they are a shit union, they botched thier work value claim,
The grass is not greener.
Unfortunately you are relying on a bunch of anonymous people, as your mandate.
Good luck with that. I think I stick with what I actually KNOW.
You are entitled to your opinion, just because i disagree doesnt make me gutless.
just 75% ehh!
no hope!
scabs!
No Stevo Iam not a scab my resignation doesnt go in till the 15/11/07.
so iam just like you, only Iam prepared to do something,instead of being lazy waiting for the HSU to feed me more crap and lies,and lie around whinging and calling people a scab which you really dont know the true meaning of scab and it is so out dated!!!!
Ive been involved in unions for 42 years,ive had many dealings with unions and governments and take it from me you will not see a pay rise next May 08,if you wish to wait ,which in turn the D&D will not be finalised then either because part of the D&D is in the work value case.Neither can be sighned off unless its decided on together.
So as we know both partys cant agree on the amout of money to pay us ,so all i can see is this going on much longer than May 08.
they wont give in,to pay us what we are worth,we wont take anythink less than the 24%,here we go again in circles but in the mean time the cost of living is going up.
this is our only option!!!!!!!!!
Dennis.R.
If you are an RN Stevo, why would you bother with us uneducated people.You could be earning big big bucks,or couldnt you cut it.
Ambo's. Our pay claim is 3yrs old, we should be going for 50 to 75% now, don't kid yoursel In other 1st world country there would be a pension at 20 years and you would get a real wage!
Stevo ...and not a scab, if you are not the same person..... wake up to yourself ! are you not listening to what is bieng said here ?? Mate.. some of the greatest triumphs in life are built with vision and gutts and dont require a safety net for every move you make ! i have no fear at all that when we all resign ( and we will see if that is what you call fuck all of us ) that a new a better way forward will emerge. History does not lie, and fortune ALWAYS favours the brave.
You can intellectulise all you want buddy, but you cannot change the facts.. and they are screaming loud and clear here ! The HSU is gone.... its no longer IF, just WHEN !
Ok, lets burn them! Move on.
Stevo,
Felicitations,
You don't sound too bright! Big words seem to confuse you.
However,I am endeavoring to misappropriate the formulary for the preparation of affordable comestibles.
WILL YOU JOIN ME?
Time to be vocal members. Put the pressure on! This is your future! Let them walk over you again and that is what you deserve!
Just blogged on, as it would seem other people are assuming others identities.
I am now sure that this blogging site is a joke.
original stevo
I agree Mr Real Ambo,it is time to action and get our message out there.
We have to think about our commraides who have had to take some form of leave,whether it be sick or fax.We should be paid our projected roster but we are not.So an increase would at least compersate us for that.Many who have a terminal illness or a child or partner who are very sick have had to take alot of time off.Not having a projected roster would help in keeping some sort of balance to our lives.A substancial increase would make it better.
This is why this is very important to make a stand now,while we have an oppertunity before the election.
we may not have alot of resignations to take to the next meeting (15/11/07),but they will come as time goes on.
To the men and women out there whos partners have taken their own lives through the stress of the job,dont let their lives go in vein!!
There is no shame to stand up for yourself,I tell this to my kids everyday.
Be brave and smart,this is a game,only its a game that effects all our lives and our future,,,
so with that get your resignations in,demand your delegate take it to the next meeting,if you are unsure about giving it to them ,,,send it to Brisbane Water Sub Branch,pass this message onto any others who are not prepared to take a chance on their future,you have less than 5 days to get your resignations in.
Its us uneducated people who are the smart ones,not the educated ones(STEVO).
Your future is in your hands and your hands only.
DENNIS.R.
Us old timers need our sleep i will blogg on tomorrow night with some good news from you cyber world buddies.
Please tell me you have put in your resignation,,,,so I bid you all a good night DENNIS.R.
How much more black and white do people need.
NSW HEALTH SERVICE (AMBULANCE SERVICE OF NSW DIVISION) DEATH AND DISABILITY AWARD 2006
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION OF NEW SOUTH WALES
PART A - INTRODUCTION, INTENTIONS AND COMMITMENTS,
INDEX AND DEFINITIONS
1. Introduction, Intentions and Commitments
1.1 This Award shall be known as the “NSW Health Service (Ambulance Service of NSW Division) Death and Disability Award 2006”.
1.2 The intentions and commitments of this Award are to:
1.2.1 Provide benefits on medical discharge in the event that an on duty or off duty injury results in the death or total and permanent disablement or partial and permanent disability of an officer
1.2.2 Provide rehabilitation and retraining in the event that an on duty or off duty injury results in an officer suffering partial and permanent disability.
1.2.3 Develop and implement an agreed health and fitness program for officers.
1.3 This Award shall be in four parts as follows:
Part A - Introduction, Intentions and Commitments, Index and Definitions.
Part B - Arrangements for officers entitled to the death and disability benefits prescribed by this Award.
Part C - Health and Fitness Program.
Part D - Disputes, Anti-Discrimination, Leave Reserved and Area, Incidence and Duration.
2. Index
Clause No. Subject Matter
1. Introduction, Intentions and Commitments
2. Index
3. Definitions
4. Coverage
5. Contributions by Officers
6. Other Benefits Applicable to Officers
7. Officers - Lump Sum Payments for “On Duty” Death and Total and Permanent Disablement
8. Officers - Lump Sum Payments for “Off Duty” Death and Total and Permanent Disablement
9. Rehabilitation and Retraining and Lump Sum Payments for Officers who suffer Partial and Permanent Disability
10. Assessment of Entitlement to Benefits
11. Health and Fitness Program
12. Grievance Mechanism
13. Anti-Discrimination
14. Award Review
15. Leave Reserved
16. Area, Incidence, Duration and Parties Bound
Annexure A Total and Permanent Disablement Benefits Payment Scale
Annexure B Partial and Permanent Disability Benefits Payment Scale
3. Definitions
“actuary” means an actuary appointed by the Ambulance Service.
“Ambulance Service” means the Ambulance Service of NSW, a Division of the NSW Health Service, as established by the Health Services Act.
“estate” of a person means the property and affairs of the person.
“First State Super” (“First State Super”) means the superannuation scheme established under the First State Superannuation Act 1992 or subsequent arrangements.
“normal duties” means performing the duties for which the officer has been principally employed, including restricted duties for the purposes of subclauses 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5.
“off duty injury” means any personal injury or disease which is not an on duty injury.
“officer” has the same meaning as “employee” under the Operational Ambulance Officers (State) Award and Ambulance Service of New South Wales Superintendent/Operational Managers (State) Award.
“on duty injury” means personal injury arising out of or in the course of employment and includes a disease which is contracted by an officer in the course of their employment and to which the employment was a contributing factor, and the aggravation, acceleration, exacerbation or deterioration of any disease, where the employment was a contributing factor to the aggravation, acceleration, exacerbation or deterioration but does not include a personal injury or disease arising out of or in the course of journeying to or from work outside of rostered hours subject to the proviso that an officer responding to an incident outside of rostered ordinary hours shall be considered to be on duty from the time of the call. (On call, duration of job, being tasked when off duty, Superintendents etc)
“partial and permanent disability” means the officer’s cessation of employment was substantially due, directly or indirectly, to the permanent physical or mental disability of the officer (not caused by any act or default of the officer intended to produce an injury leading to that disability) and the officer is, when the officer ceases to be employed by the Ambulance Service, permanently unable, by reason of that disability, to perform the duties that the officer was required to perform before the officer suffered the disability.
“salary” means the most recently calculated superable salary for such an officer for the purposes of calculating superannuation contributions. (?Part-time to full-time, LWOP, subsequent promotion etc )
“State Authorities Superannuation Scheme” (“SASS”) means the superannuation scheme established under the State Authorities Superannuation Act 1987.
“State Authorities Non-contributory Superannuation Scheme” (“SANCS”) means the superannuation scheme established under the State Authorities Non-contributory Superannuation Act 1987.
“State Superannuation Scheme” (“SSS”) means the superannuation scheme established under the Superannuation Act 1916.
“total and permanent disablement” means that the officer is unlikely, by reason of that disablement (whether physical or mental), to ever again engage in gainful employment for which the officer is reasonably qualified by education, training or experience.
“Union” means the Health Services Union.
PART B – ARRANGEMENTS FOR OFFICERS ENTITLED TO THE DEATH AND DISABILITY BENEFITS PRESCRIBED BY THIS AWARD
4. Coverage
4.1 This Award applies to all officers with the following exceptions:
4.1.1 members of the State Superannuation Scheme; and
4.1.2 to the extent identified in Clause 4.2, members of SASS who have Additional Benefit Cover and who do not elect to be covered for the Death and Total and Permanent Incapacity benefits under this Award.
4.2 Officers who are members of SASS who have additional benefit cover and who do not elect to be covered for the Death and Total and Permanent Incapacity benefits under this Award will not be entitled to the benefits of this Award in relation to Death and Total and Permanent Incapacity. However, such officers will still be entitled to benefits covered by this Award with respect to Partial and Permanent Disability.
4.3 Subject only to sub-clause 4.1, 4.4 and 4.5, this Award applies to all officers employed on or after 31 October 2006.
Transitional Arrangements
These arrangements also apply to officers at work on 31 October 2006 who are participating in an agreed return to work program or who return to work after that date and participate in an agreed return to work program.
4.4 Officers who have suffered an on duty injury and who are making genuine efforts to comply with an agreed Return to Work program shall be covered by this Award provided that they participate in such a program for a period equivalent of 3 months of their full time service, subject to the determination of the Committee referred to in sub-clause 4.5.
4.5 A committee comprising a representative of the Ambulance Service, the Union, and a person agreed between the parties shall determine coverage of such officers in accordance with clauses 7 and 9 in the event of a medical discharge.
5. Contributions By Officers
5.1 Officers who are eligible for coverage under this Award, subject to subclauses 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4, shall contribute 1.8 percent of their salary to the Ambulance Service.
5.2. Officers who are contributors to SASS but who do not contribute to SASS for additional benefit cover shall contribute 1.8 per cent of their salary to the Ambulance Service.
5.3 Officers who are contributors to SASS and who contribute for additional benefit cover and who elect to relinquish that cover shall contribute 1.8. per cent of their salary to the Ambulance Service.
5.4 Officers who:
5.4.1 are contributors to SASS; and
5.4.2 contribute to SASS for additional benefit cover; and
5.4.3 elect not to relinquish that additional benefit cover,
will contribute 0.88% of their salary to the Ambulance Service and will be entitled to receive the benefits prescribed by this award in relation to partial and permanent incapacity. The only benefits prescribed by this award to which the officer shall be entitled are the benefits applicable in relation to partial and permanent incapacity.
5.5 The contributions prescribed by this Award in relation to officers who are contributors to SASS are additional to the contributions that they are required to make under the State Authorities Superannuation Act 1987.
5.6 Notwithstanding the provisions of the Operational Ambulance Officers (State) Award or the Ambulance Service of New South Wales Superintendent/Operational Managers (State) Award, an officer who is required or elects to make contributions pursuant to this clause will do so by sacrificing an amount of unearned salary equivalent to the officer’s contribution pursuant to this clause, unless they elect to contribute in a different manner. Such salary sacrifice shall not be taken into account for the purpose of calculating the remuneration that the officer would have received in the event that no salary sacrifice had been applicable.
5.7 The provisions of this sub-clause are subject to the State Authorities Superannuation Act 1987 or Regulations being amended so as to permit officers who are contributors to SASS and who contribute for additional benefit cover to elect, on a “once only” basis, whether they wish to retain or relinquish that additional benefit cover. An officer who is a contributor to SASS and who contributes for additional benefit cover shall make an election as provided for by this clause in the time frame specified by the Amendments to the Act or Regulations.
5.8 In the event that an officer dies or is medically exited prior to having had an opportunity to make an election pursuant to this sub clause he/she shall be entitled to be paid the benefits pursuant to this award less any benefit payable under the additional benefit cover from SASS.
5.9 An officer on any form of leave without pay shall continue to be covered by this Award and shall be required to make the contributions that he/she would otherwise have made had he/she not been on leave without pay.
5.10 Contributions of part time officers will be based on their part time salary as defined by this Award.
6. Other Benefits Applicable to Officers
The benefits conferred upon officers by this Award shall be in addition to any superannuation benefits that may be payable to officers and any payments under the Workers Compensation Act 1987 and the Workplace Injury Management Act 1998 as varied from time to time.
7. Officers – Lump Sum Payments for “on Duty” Death and Total and Permanent Disablement.
7.1 Officers who contribute under clause 4 shall be entitled to a lump sum payment in accordance with Schedule A to this Award in the event that an on duty injury results in an officer’s death or an officer suffering total and permanent disablement.
7.2 Entitlements under Clause 7.1 in the event of an officer’s death will be paid to the deceased’s estate.
8. Officers – Lump Sum Payments for “Off Duty” Death and Total and Permanent Disablement
8.1 Officers who contribute under clause 4 shall be entitled to a lump sum payment in accordance with the scale set out in clause 8.3 in the event that an off duty injury results in their death or total and permanent disablement.
8.2 For the purposes of this sub-clause, an officer’s age shall be his/her age at the time of his/her death or at the date that he/she ceases to be employed by the Ambulance Service or at such earlier date as may be determined by the parties in accordance with clause 10.6.
8.3 Entitlements under clause 8.1 in the event of an officer’s death will be paid to the deceased’s estate.
Age Lump Sum
$
Less than 61 year of age 250,000
At age 61 to less than 62 years of age 200,000
At age 62 to less than 63 years of age 150,000
At age 63 to less than 64 years of age 100,000
At age 64 to less than 65 years of age 50,000
8.4 The Lump Sum amounts prescribed by sub clause 8.3 shall be increased in accordance with increases in salaries prescribed by the current Memorandum of Understanding between the NSW Department of Health and the Union, and its successors.
9. Rehabilitation, Retraining and Lump Sum Payments for Officers Who Suffer Partial and Permanent Disability
9.1. The lump sum payments prescribed by this clause are payable to the Ambulance Service. In order to be entitled to a benefit pursuant to this Clause, an officer must engage in the provisions outlined within this Clause.
9.2 There is a mutual obligation on both the employer and injured officer to identify suitable positions for redeployment. However, it is the injured officer’s responsibility to accept a reasonable offer of a suitable position made by the employer, which may include transfer to another location. A failure to accept one of three (3) reasonable offers as per the Permanent Restricted Duties Policy of a suitable officer position will jeopardize any benefits or entitlements payable under this award and may result in medical discharge.
9.3 An officer who suffers an on duty injury shall receive rehabilitation/retraining consistent with agreed policies, leading to a return to pre-injury employment wherever possible.
9.3.1 Where a return to pre-injury employment is not possible, as determined by HealthQuest, or other medical assessor agreed by the parties, the officer will be declared as suffering a partial and permanent disability and opportunities for placement in a suitable officer position or as a permanent restricted duties officer will be sought. At the same time, the officer, with their consent, will be considered for redeployment to an administrative officer position.
9.3.2 If placement in a position within the Ambulance Service is not possible and redeployment to an administrative officer position is not agreed to by the officer, the employment of the officer may be terminated. In such circumstances the officer, subject to eligibility being established, shall be paid a lump sum payment in accordance with Annexure B to this Award.
9.4 An officer who suffers an off duty injury shall receive rehabilitation/retraining consistent with agreed policies, leading to a return to pre-injury employment wherever possible. No direct medical or rehabilitation costs will be met by the Ambulance Service for off duty injuries
9.4.1 Where a return to pre-injury employment is not possible as determined by HealthQuest, or other medical assessor agreed by the parties, the officer will be declared as suffering a partial and permanent disability and opportunities for placement in a suitable officer position or as a permanent restricted duties officer will be sought. At the same time, the officer, with their consent, will be considered for redeployment to an administrative officer position.
9.4.2 If placement in a position is not possible and redeployment to an administrative officer position within the Ambulance Service is not agreed to by the officer, the employment of the officer may be terminated and, in such circumstances, the officer shall be paid a lump sum payment equivalent to the unexpired portion of the two year full salary or full salary to age 60 (whichever is the lesser). The two year period commences when medical evidence indicates that an officer is not able to return to their pre-injury employment.
9.5 The objective of the rehabilitation/retraining program creates mutual obligations, which is for every officer who suffers partial and permanent disability to be placed in a suitable officer position with the Ambulance Service, wherever reasonably practical.
9.6 An adequate opportunity will be given to the officer concerned and the Union (unless the officer expressly declines to agree to the Union being informed) to consider the Ambulance Service opinion that no suitable position is available and to put that opinion into dispute in accordance with the dispute resolution clause of this Award prior to medical discharge.
10. Insurance and Assessment of Entitlement to Benefits
10.1 The Union acknowledges that the Ambulance Service will establish, with First State Super, an insurance scheme to pay the lump sum benefits prescribed by clauses 7 and 8 of this Award (the First State Super insurance scheme).
10.2 Ambulance Service shall deduct the contributions that officers are required or elect to make pursuant to this clause from their salaries.
10.3 Ambulance Service shall contribute to First State Super such sum as required to meet the cost of the insurance premiums to fund the First State Super insurance scheme.
10.4 Ambulance Service shall meet the cost of benefits payable under this Award for Partial and Permanent Disability.
10.5 Ambulance Service will also meet the entitlement pursuant to Clause 7 and Clause 8 for death and total and permanent disablement benefits in the following circumstances:
10.5.1 Injuries or death in the period 23 June 2005 to 1 July 2005;
10.5.2 Members covered by the transition arrangements in Clause 4;
10.5.3 Where an officer suffers an on-duty injury which is recognized for the purposes of workers compensation law and where such injury is later aggravated or exacerbated off-duty and such injury is not covered by the insurer as being an on-duty injury; and
10.5.4 On duty overseas deployments to countries not covered by the insurer, pursuant to Clause 7 only.
10.6 Members can only receive one benefit either a “partial and permanent disability benefit” or “total and permanent disablement benefit”. Receiving a “partial and permanent disability benefit” or “total and permanent disablement benefit” discharges the liability of the alternative party for the relevant benefit payable.
10.7 Entitlement to the benefits to be provided by the Ambulance Service pursuant to this Award shall be assessed by the Ambulance Service. Any dispute as to the entitlement of an officer to receive a benefit under the terms of this award (whether lump sum entitlement or otherwise) may be referred to the Industrial Relation Commission of New South Wales for determination.
10.8 Entitlement to receive a lump sum benefit from the First State Super insurance scheme shall be assessed in accordance with the terms of the First State Super Trust Deed and Policy Document. Any dispute will be assessed in accordance with the First State Super Disputes and Complaint procedure. This includes if unresolved by internal processes, any dispute as to entitlement to receive a lump sum payment from the First State Super insurance scheme the matter may be referred to the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW for final determination.
10.9 Lump sum Benefits payable under this Award shall be calculated utilising the salary as defined in this Award. In the case of officers who have worked a period of their service on a part time basis, the benefits will be calculated by multiplying their full time equivalent salary by a part time ratio. This ratio shall be calculated by the dividing the full time equivalent service by the officer’s actual service since 31 October 2006.
10.10 An officer otherwise entitled to benefits provided by this Award shall not be entitled to such benefits in relation to an injury (or consequent disability) directly caused by the taking of disciplinary action that may lead to removal from the Ambulance Service. However, if;
10.10.1 the initiation of or conduct of such disciplinary action by the Ambulance Service was not reasonable; or
10.10.2 the officer is not ultimately removed from the Ambulance Service as a consequence of the disciplinary action, then the officer shall continue to be eligible to claim benefits for such injury.
PART C - HEALTH AND FITNESS
11. Health and Fitness Program
11.1 The parties agree to develop and implement a Health and Fitness Program.
11.2 The Program will apply to all officers with no distinction based upon rank within identified specialist areas.
PART D - GRIEVANCE MECHANISM, ANTI-DISCRIMINATION, LEAVE
RESERVED AND AREA, INCIDENCE, DURATION AND PARTIES BOUND
12. Grievance Mechanism
12.1 In addition to the procedures outlined in Clause 10 of this Award, if an issue gives rise to a dispute it shall be dealt with in accordance with the Dispute Avoidance Procedures in [insert two awards bottom of page 962.]
12.2 Any dispute arising under or regarding the application of this Award may be referred to the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales.
13. Anti-Discrimination
13.1 It is the intention of the parties bound by this Award to seek to achieve the object in section 3(f) of the Industrial Relations Act 1996 to prevent and eliminate discrimination in the workplace. This includes discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, marital status, disability, homosexuality, transgender identity, age and responsibilities as a carer.
13.2 It follows that in fulfilling their obligations under clause 12 of this Award the parties have obligations to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the operation of the provisions of this Award are not directly or indirectly discriminatory in their effect. It will be consistent with the fulfilment of these obligations for the parties to make an application to vary any provision of this Award, which by its terms or operation, has direct or indirect discriminatory effect.
13.3 Under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977, it is unlawful to victimise an employee because the employee has made or may make or has been involved in a complaint of unlawful discrimination or harassment.
13.4 Nothing in this clause is taken to affect any conduct or act which is specifically exempted from anti-discrimination legislation; offering or providing junior rates of pay to persons under 21 years of age; any act or practice of a body established to propagate religion which is exempted under section 56(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977; and/or a party to this Award from pursuing matters of unlawful discrimination in any State or Federal jurisdiction.
13.5 This clause does not create legal rights or obligations in addition to those imposed upon the parties by legislation referred to in this clause.
14. Award Review
14.1 There will be an actuarial review at the completion of 3 years and each 3 years thereafter.
14.2 The benefits provided under this award are based on actuarial estimates with the long term cost to Government being 3.6% of salaries as defined by this Award. If the results of the triennial actuarial review referred to above or if in any 12 months period:
14.2.1 the insurance premium quoted for the next 12 months, and/or
14.2.2 the claims experience of the preceding 12 months.
are such that, in the opinion of the actuary, the long term cost to the Government is likely to exceed 3.6% of salaries, there will be an immediate review of the benefits and/or officer contributions of the scheme.
15. Leave Reserved
15.1 Leave is reserved to the parties generally to apply as they may be advised in respect of any adjustment under Commonwealth legislation governing superannuation which alters preservation rights at age 60 or in the event that any legislative change necessary for the implementation of this Award does not occur.
15.2 Leave is reserved to the parties to apply as they may with respect to coverage where officers contribute to NSW Government subsidised superannuation schemes which includes commensurate levels of benefits for death and permanent disability.
15.3 Leave is reserved to the parties to apply as they may with respect to the development of a review mechanism where for the purpose of subclause 10.7 a dispute arises as to the entitlement of an officer. Such a review mechanism will require the formulation and adoption of any procedures and mechanisms considered appropriate for dealing with, and determining any dispute which may arise, so as to allow and provide for the speedy, efficient, and most cost effective means of resolving any such dispute.
16. Area, Incidence, Duration and Parties Bound
16.1 This Award shall apply to all officers as defined in clause 3, Definitions, who are employed by the Ambulance Service.
16.2 This Award shall be binding upon the Union and the Ambulance Service.
16.3 This Award shall take effect from 31 October 2006 and shall remain in force to 31 October 2009.
ANNEXURE A - BENEFITS FOR ON DUTY DEATH AND TOTAL AND
PERMANENT DISABLEMENT (TPI)
The lump sum benefits shown in the table below would be payable from a superannuation fund. The TPI benefit would be payable to the officer while the death benefit would be payable to the estate/personal representatives. Where an on duty benefit is less than the off-duty benefit, the higher benefit would be payable.
Age At Death Or Disablement Lump Sum As Multiple Of Salary
Less than 45 years of age 8.50
45 8.20
46 7.95
47 7.69
48 7.42
49 7.15
50 6.88
51 6.59
52 6.29
53 5.98
54 5.67
55 5.35
56 5.02
57 4.69
58 4.34
59 4.00
60 3.71
ANNEXURE B - ON-DUTY PARTIAL AND PERMANENT DISABILITY BENEFITS
PAYMENT SCALE
Age At Disablement Lump Sum As Multiple Of
Salary
20 8.33
21 8.22
22 8.11
23 7.99
24 7.87
25 7.75
26 7.62
27 7.49
28 7.35
29 7.21
30 7.07
31 6.92
32 6.76
33 6.61
34 6.44
35 6.28
36 6.11
37 5.93
38 5.75
39 5.56
40 5.36
41 5.16
42 4.96
43 4.75
44 4.53
45 4.30
46 4.07
47 3.83
48 3.59
49 3.34
50 3.08
51 2.81
52 2.53
53 2.25
54 1.95
55 1.65
56 1.34
57 1.02
58 0.69
59 0.35
60 0.00
I have noticed that a lot of you guys are talking about sending your resignations to brisbane waters, that you don't trust your own executives to present them to HSU.
Have all the sub-Branches called emergency meetings yet? If they haven't call your own and invite them instead.
Time is marching on guys IF you ARE going to do something, better start now, or will I see the same whinges on this blog in July 2008?
If you DO resign (gasp,knees shake) the sun will still rise the next day, you will still have a job, you will save your subs money. Hell even the management you all know will not have changed one little bit.
Either get out of HSU or start riding your executive to get results if they aren't trying.
Your choice, but MAKE it! NOW !!
Rik Shepherd
Poor lost souls,
There seems to be a whole lot of anger and heat out there, but not much in the way of a clearly defined and common direction.
I leaked this site to the media today.
Big mistake.
What they will read is that we are an angry and misguided mob, who are disorganised and happy to listen to narcasists whose only mission is to criticise, stir the pot and offer few, if any, workable and practical options.
Few of you have come forward with a common objective let alone a plan to accomplish it.
So far, I am the only one who has brought forward a possible name to lead you through this complex industrial maze.
Critisize, but please be brave enough to also put an alternative forward.
Look at the history of the Metropolitan Ambulance in Victora.
They went on a full walk out strike, patients died and they lost the public's confidence and empathy.
The government hammered them and their union. Look at them now - a broken and dishevelled lot.
Please listen to me and:
1) Get organised;
2) Make up a committee of interested people skilled in I/R laws and tactics.
You may look at retired ambos who have nothing to lose from being seen as backing your cause.
You may not like tyem, but they know how the system really works.
3) Brainstorm objectives;
4) Come up with a time line just as project managers do;
5) Implement that plan, and
6) Communicate that plan especially in the media.
Its not all that difficult to really shake the HSU and senior ASNSW managers out of their comfort zones.
We are still highly respected in the community, as we should be!
Let's use that to our collective advantage.
Just get yourselves organised.
P.A.P.
hello, good morning,
I ruv tea. Is so good for you . I was born some time back i'm am currently alive. What a silly ambo you are still in same union as boss cock. you are is very funny persons. my tea make it all sweet. I no need no sugar when I come here funny ambos.
thank for ambo
bye see you
agin
Why dont you tell us your real name P.A.P,we can then get in touch and use you to help us,
But it looks like Dennis.R. hit a raw note with someone,they put the whole what ever it is on the blogg.It must of took some time to do that.
It may be in black and white,on my screen but i didnt get it in the mail now did I.
And where does it say "Ol Morrie" will pay it if i need it?
I go with DENNIS,I think he is trying to guide us.Hes old and I think he knows what hes talking about.Make a stand,any stand but make it a good one !!!!
from Roadrunner "BB"
Dennis R at 722pm tonight. What mass meeting did you go to? Obviously not the same one you went to.
Did you not get what Dennis Ravlich was saying at that meeting? Or are you completely stupid? HSU did not want the bans lifted either but they had to bring it back to us as members as it was a recommendation of the IRC.
That is why Dennis Ravlich was saying stuff like 'if you choose to continue the bans then we will wholeheartedly support you...' etc etc.
I spoke with Dennis afterwards and he could not believe what had happened. Dennis was a very good and highly respected paramedic before becoming our lead industrial officer and he is sick of the Service pushing us all around. He is the one who has to run all the cases, listen to the Service's stupidity, irrationality, excuse and trouble making and constant lies not only to him and us, but also the IRC. Dennis is a far better human being than what any one of us could ever hope to be. He really needs our support to make any of this ever work.
The whole mass meeting thing fell apart when that Russell Lewis (Sydney)and then unbelievably Peter Rumball from the Hunter spoke to cease the industrial action. Then Peter (Ankles) Annetts was lining up to back them up, how insane was all that?
The only good thing that almost happened that day was when a good comrade was going to punch that Russell Lewis out when we all were going outside. It is a shame that others held the good comrade back.
I knew no good would come of that day because of the result but that decision was not from Williamson or anyone employed by HSU, it was our decision whether you or i like it or not.
I certainly voted against it and was very vocal about it. I knew we should have still been out, at least the media would have made it a story as opposed to the nothing story it sadly became.
If you really want to change it, network with all the other sub branches or their members, call all sub branches to meet on the same day or night, pass the same motion to go out on indefinite industrial action until such time as our needs are met or appropriately addressed.
You already have the vehicle (the sub branches), the fuel (upset members), now you need to put the key (your strategy) into the ignition and drive it to where we all need to go if you want to end this pending disaster quickly so we can get what we deserve.
here!, here! D & D well said.
I think a summary is in order....maybe the media might be interested in this.
Allot of ambos have not heard about this site yet so their will be more survey results.
A fully qualified Paramedic 1 doesn't earn much more than a shop assistant on casual rates.
Michael Williamson, Health Services Union State Secretary, is the senior vice president for the NSW labour party and will not go in hard over our wage claim while labour is in power. Ambos are fed up.
Craig Thompson is a Federal Labour Candidate and also the National Secretary for Health Services Union, again will not go in hard over our wage claim while labour is in power. Ambos are fed up
We need our own union not managements union. All of our Senior Managers are in the same union as the rank and file. There needs to be transparency and a strict divide between the interests of management and the interests of ambos. With this system Senior Managers can agenda set, manipulate the rank and file all with the help of Williamson and the ambos own Health Services Union.
The are still stations in the state of NSW that do not have double officer crewing. That’s right officers working alone. Kangaroo Valley, Merriwa, Stroud and Murrurundi we know about so far. How do you do a cardiac arrest by yourself when you backup could be 30 mins away.
Education and Professional development have a lot to answer for the state of our appauling Corporate Culture survey results. They have been providing more opportunities for junior officers, forgetting about experienced officers, especially in the country for years. Being a senior officer used to mean something in this service
Greg Rochford our CEO is good man. I think he has weeded out alot of corruption in the service I think he just has a lot of weirdos working for him. (the ambos pay rise is not up to Rochford it's up to Health).
As Spider has just said,
We need our own union not managements union. All of our Senior Managers are in the same union as the rank and file. There needs to be transparency and a strict divide between the interests of management and the interests of ambos. With this system Senior Managers can agenda set, manipulate the rank and file all with the help of Williamson and the ambos own Health Services Union.
Now this my friends is why we have never been able to get any satisfaction out of the union when trying to get fair play out of the management bully's.
When we form a new and real Union, this must NEVER again be the case !
Vote now by resigning on the 15th. Trust me when i tell you that nothing short of this will ever be taken seriously !
I agree with the SPIDER except for the CEO being a good man.
He is the man running the show ( on paper anyway ) so the buck stops with him.
You can not be supposedly educated ( which no doubt he is ) and have NO idea of the shit that is going on underneath him. He is up to it in his eyeballs.
But in saying that I hold that MUTT Willis in more contempt as he is a uniformed officer.
Once upon a time he started in the job as a probationer and look at him now. Full of lies.And NO respect from his troops. Don't be fooled his name was on the recent pay offer along with that COLIN LYTTLE worm.
And as previous posts have noted, his Mrs has had a metoric rise in the service. Merit my ARSE.
As for the D & D, well you can post it all you want but it is STILL NOT officially signed off on.
It is part of the WAGE claim, which you all know has not been finalised.
The JACKAL is also on the MONEY, do not put Pension numbers down,I don't, and have not since the SERVICES pay offer, nothing has happened to me.
Take your meal breaks on night shift, again been done by a few officers regularly, and guess what, nothing has been said or done to these officers, imagine how stupid the Service would look in front of the IRC complaining that officers won't work 14 hours for 13 hours pay.
Take your meal break for fuck sake, its yours and there is nothing they can do about it.
Also I here some people saying that no other union would take us on as we would cost them to much.
Well I have asked Mr. Williams in writting How much we have cost them, and he will not reply. So if one of you HSU puppets out there can show me the proof, Don't forget the HSU gets over $1.5 million from us per annum.
Pay claim going for almost 3 years = $4.5 million.
I think you may have trouble convincing me and many others.
Everyone above the level of Distict Officer is in the Superintendent's sub branch and have their own separate award to us.
I hope all of you realise that the bosses have no ability to vote on our award or any of our conditions. They are nothing to us and no ability to influence HSU over our matters.
D and D,
Re: They are nothing to us and no ability to influence HSU over our matters.
If I have time today I will explain how D/O's and Ranks above have the ability to influence the outcomes in the rank and file part of HSU.
If you have been in for a while you may have heard about the "brothers".
A hint for now.........our last mass meeting over our wage claim was held at the Masonic Centre in Sydney.
This is completely off topic, but another illustration of how much support we have from management ( and posted to serve as a gentle reminder as you go out on that next 1B ) ...
Yesterday morning, an ambulance crew in Sydneys west was dispatched to a confirmed person jumped from a building, ? code 2. The ambulance route to the job was along a main road that is well reknown for holding a 2 lane bankup of cars stretching 50-60 cars back from a main intersection each morning. The ambulance crossed to the wrong side of the road and proceeded, substantiated by multiple witnesses, at a speed less than 20kph towards the intersection. A 'P' plate driver ( already 2 charges under her belt for incidents ), came out of a side street attempting to 'get into a gap' left by the slow moving traffic towards the stated intersection. She lost control and subsequently speared into the side of the ambulance travelling towards the intersection ( in a nutshell - lost control and slewed across a total of 3 lanes ).
The end result of this ?
The driver of the ambulance has been informed by Highway Patrol that she will be breached because she was on the wrong side of the road.
What a great job we have ... damned if we do and damned if we don't. Face the music because you took to long to get there from the public and management. Lose your license potentially because of the story above.
Great. Just great ...
To D&D,
Yes D.Ravlich might of wanted to keep bans on, but how stupid were members to take them off.Were they not listening or reading between the lines,If he wanted the bans left on why did he not go with the delegates dicision the day before when all delegates wanted them left on.
Yet he still put the vote out to the members at the mass meeting though.
It was good enough to only take the delegates dicision on the 4% though.He didnt want to give the delegates time to take that back to the members.There were only 2 delegates that wanted to take it back to the members.
It was illegall to not do that.I think the HSU do what they want when it suits them only.If you cannot see that then maybe you all need to stand back and have a good look at what has been going on for 2.5 years.
As for G.Rouchford well he may have got rid of all the corruption,around him,He forgot 1 thing,,, he didnt get rid of himself in the process!!!
Its not really the delegates fault if they have no spine.sure they may do all this hard work in their time,but what a waste of time if you are not going to listen to your members.
What are they there for if they are not prepared to listen to members,do they think that they have this wright to set their own agenda and tell to members a heap of lies.
time to go from the union.Many Australians have not been in a union,they have survived quite well.
Dennis .R> you are on the money mate
Roadrunner.."Beep Beep"
Roadrunner.."Beep Beep"
Well said, a classic example of the bickering and infighting that goes on between our sub-branch executives.
Yes they were stupid to take the 4% and sacrafice the moral victory we were on the way to winning.
Simarly, when HSU accepted the P1 upgrade, without any renumeration for it's members, they set a precedence where the service can give ambos all the drugs and skills they want to without a pay increase.
Have you heard that all levels in the service are about to get magill forceps......I don't expect they will throw in a pay increase with the package.
Thankyou again HSU "Beep Beep"
my personal protest.
each and every shift i see at least 10 maybe more patients + extended familys.
i explain to them what a corrupt bunch these labour politicians and union delegates are.
we have the power to upset these bastards apple cart.
a vote for labour is a health and wealth hazard!!!
I'm afraid that all these comments will lead to no action at all. The ASNSW has gone very quiet letting everyone VENT. Like most things they simply put off any decision until the venom has gone out of the attack and then they do whatever they want.
Why don't we all reduce our HSU contributions to 4% of what they currently are and tell them if its good enough for us its good enough for them. They can have the rest when they get our pay rise....
Either way we need action, We need a general date to take action. This day should be given to HSU as the day the Ambulance Officers who are not happy with their recent decision to accept 4% will onmass reduce their HSU contributions to 4% of what they currently are. I feel that it is important to have a common forum to discuss these issues (being under the umbrella of the local sub-branches) and if we left on mass we would lose this forum. Lets get the HSU to either do what we are paying them to do (and know) or own up to the fact that they cannot so we can move to somewhere that can get results. Enough venting and lets take some ACTION...
resign from HSU OR reduce your payments to 4%(about 80c)nice symbolism there. Both will achieve the objectives of hitting HSU financially and letting them know they can shape up or ship out.Do it on the 15th
Illawarria ... !
Yep that sounds great... why dont we send them (HSU) some cookies and a xmas hamper with that ?
sorry mate but i cant help you with the 4% union fees to show my discust, because i resigned last week. And that action day you talked about.... read back a few blogs ( ITS THE 15TH OF THIS MONTH !) thats when the rest of you with any balls and commitment to what you are saying, send the HSU their marching orders and do the same !
all the talking in the world wont produce any results with this mob !
Ation will get them off their arses though !
dont forget troops get your resignations in by the 14th so your delegates can put them on the table on the 15th.of NOVEMBER that is.
Dont forget you are giving them 13 weeks notice to do somethink,and of course they can do somethink if they want to.The IRC is always happy to see us if we put bans on,arn't they!!!
Let your delegate know and be strong in your conviction,
it is up to you and only you to run your race how you want to.
DENNIS.R.
Spider your right on the money mate. About time someone was.
HSU gows up, out of the hole, wound the back of the twee, and back down into it’s buwwow. We should finally get even with that screwy wabbit on the 15th Nowember.
To Illawarria,
you have a day to show how you all feel.15/11/07 is your day of reckoning!!
This is the only way to show the HSU that you mean business and you want action,that you are just not prepared to wait.
I can tell you banks have not waited in upping the interest, so why should we.
We need the rise just as much as the banks.
6 or 9(cant remember its just a nightmare) interest rate hikes and our pay has not gone up
to meet the ongoing cost.How are we meant to keep up?
You have less than 5 days to get the resignations in to your delegates.
Its now or wait to May 08 and watch another 2 rate rises !!!!!!!!!!
Dennis.R.
Make sure you check out what the Politians are saying.
http://realambo.blogspot.com/2007/11/what-politicians-are-saying.html
Sorry, spelling error, I meant politicians
Do not believe what Dennis R. is telling you people. This idea of handing in your resignations from HSU to your delegates by the 15th November is just another ploy by HSU to maintain control.
Do you really think your resignation would be processed if you handed it to a union delegate?
Your union delegate would get back to you with some garbage like "because of all the potential resignations presented, HSU is now determained to take further action because we know there is so much support for us out there".
Don't let them take you for a fool, they have been doing this sort of thing for too long as it is.
Do what I did resign over the phone:
HSU Sydney Office
Tel: (02) 9229 4944
Fax: (02) 9223 3100
Freecall: 1800 631 505
hey spider, that's deep.
Just a hint, when you withdraw your direct debit permission, it doesn't matter a rats arse how the union gets your resignation. When the money stops don't ya think they will get the message.
The resignation en masse thing is just symbolic.
But i bet most ambos chicken out, no wonder you loosers never get anywhere, you haven't got the brains to get paid what you are worth. better just stay in bed and have a cry....much more your style
Labor Voter (Not)
yep spider I agree by all means resign over the phone too.There are many ways to skin a cat as they say.(dont take afence)
What is most important is to show the HSU you are not prepared to wait,any longer and nor should we.
But as I said earlier on this blogg you can send your resignations to Brisbane Water Sub Branch.I know the fellows there are more than happy to take it in for you.
less than 5 days to go so hurry ,troops
DENNIS.R.
I just had a thought,that wont be any good to ring up and resighn.
The HSU will just lie about the amout of resignations they have recieved.
Best to put it in writing and send in on paper.
OOPs,Iam not on the ball tonight Spider, you almost trick there "ol son!!!!"
Ive had a couple of the "ol" black nectre.thats proberly why my spelling is abit crook !!!
5 days to go troops.
DENNIS.R.
Labour Voter,
Good shot. Bad luck. I got my 11 year old to read my last comment, he explained it back to me. I did this because I thought I may have made it too difficult to understand.
It's obvious why ambos should put in their resignations themselves and not hand it to their delegates.
Labour Voter you seem a little angry, overwelmed even, if you have kids maybe they could explain to you too.
Dennis Dennis Dennis,
What's all this weird stuff about handing resignations into the Brisbane Waters Sub Branch. I no there is a bunch of them resigning from the union.....whatever.
Do not believe what these HSU yes men are telling you people. This idea of handing in your resignations from HSU to your delegates by the 15th November is just another ploy by HSU to maintain control.
Do you really think your resignation would be processed if you handed it to a union delegate?
Your union delegate would get back to you with some garbage like "because of all the potential resignations presented, HSU is now determained to take further action because we know there is so much support for us out there".
Don't let them take you for a fool, they have been doing this sort of thing for too long as it is.
Do what I did resign over the phone:
HSU Sydney Office
Tel: (02) 9229 4944
Fax: (02) 9223 3100
Freecall: 1800 631 505
hello, good morning,
You ambo very funy people. I watch laugning understand to good. What a silly ambo you are in same union as boss cock. you are is very funny persons I recognise. see you later funny ambos.
bye ambo see you
agin
Spider you have just repeated yourself,I know Ive had to much but how much have you had?
Before you wright another comment get your 11 year old to proof read it first mate,so your child can then tell you,you are repeating yourself.
You talk about not trusting your delegates but you were willing to give the HSU 21 dollars each fortnight.I guess that was for along time too.Did you trust them with your hard earned cash????
OOPS look its almost 10 pm,time for me to get my Troll sleep.
good night all !!!
5 days to go troops
DENNIS.R.
Dennis R.
Goodnight.
hey spider
you could always email hsu to resign and give a copy to bwa and to your executive.
that way you can proove your resignation to your mates, and the executive and to hsu.
phoning in in like pissing in a wet suit, it gives you a feeling of relief but noone notices.
hus will cover up all the phone resignations. it has to be everyone, on paper, on the day bud
symbolism as i said
otherwise it will be like burning your buss pass when everyone else was burning their draft card so you can say "me to"
Hi,
Has anyone actually read this D&D thing?
I had a quick browse and a couple of things don't quite gel.
FIrst YOU have to CONTRIBUTE 1.8% of YOUR salary to THE AMBULANCE SERVICE.
Or ONLY 0.88% if you contribute EXTRA to state super for D&D additional benefits. BUT then YOU DON'T get the death benefit with this revolutionary, visionary, new "gift" from Morris.
Second, YOU also seem to get signifigantly LESS as you get older, BUT if you DON'T stay working till 60 or 65 you loose a HUGE amount of super, AND of course you are more liable to injury as you get older.
If my menory serves me correctly it was NSW LABOR who TOOK away ALL of our previous rights when they brought in workcover and caps on every payout for D&D and NOTHING FOR PAIN AND SUFFERING anymore.
Now little Morris and the Labor lads are giving YOU this WONDERFUL gift AND CHARGING YOU FOR THE BLOODY PRIVELEGE.
This government should be able to afford $250k AT LEAST for every ambo D&D'd.
Bloody disgraceful, WHO negotiated this crap?
Rik Shepherd
ps I DIDN'T read the FINE print (yet)so there MAY be a silver lining I missed. Doubt it though.
Labour Voter (not),
I understand what your saying, symbolism etc, but I would bet my left nut that if you handed in your resignation from HSU in to a sub-branch delegate they would never be processed.
As you said Labour Voter (not),pissing in a wetsuit does feel good.......but in my opinion who really cares if no one notices.
Dennis R. (if you are Dennis R)can you guarantee to everyone in this forum that resignations given to delegates before the 15th November will be processed. I doubt it.
As I said before Dennis R. thinks we are fools.
I am the wife of an "ex ambo". One with 20 years in the job.
The arshole at the top Mr Greg Rochford sacked my husband on the date of his 20th aniversary in the service. What a man!!!
My husband had almost 1 year owing in sick leave, worked his guts out, gave his life to save others,did put his hand up to change the conditions of his colleagues, challenged managerial decisions, was loved and respected by his community and for nothing! We have not seen one of the bird shit bastards since he got sick with Depression and PTSD 4 years ago. Family - all we have received is abuse and inuendo. We have been pursuing Workers Comp for the money. Ha fucking Ha. What a pension of less than $400 per week!!! You have got to be on another planet if you think you get sick for the money.
To subject yourself to the constant tirade of abuse by GIO stooges, private investigators watching your every move, fellow colleagues who think your bullshitting, the financial stress, the humiliation of not being able to remember where you put the list to get the groceries that yo wrote so you you wouldn't forget what to buy and that's the beginning.
Don't tell me about the fucking arsholes at the HSU and in management.
Let's start to be specific. Why is it that individuals who have been suspended, subject to AVO's, investigated for criminal offences and violated protocol are wrapped in cotton wool. Why is it that the likes of our family who have lived and continue to live with the fear of suicide, the fits of rage, the alcohol abuse, constant hypervigilance, constant nightmares, dissasociation, depression and the months, years of tears and anguish are doing it on our own.
Do any of you know what it is like to be interrogated by a GIO Medical Specialist for 6 hours, subsequently declaring that you are a malingerer, you are feigning your condition, that you haven't been exposed to anything horrendous and dire, that it's a matter of you don't want to work rather than you can't, that your supportive wife and family are the cause of your PTSD because they are fighting your battle because you are too sick,that abuse, violence, bullying and harrassment is just "good humoured fun", that the ASNSW is a fabulous employer and I really don't know what you have to complain about and the real clanger, that by joining the ASNSW that you should have expected to see & deal with tragedy so you have accepted the possibility of being hurt!!!
If you doubt any of that for a moment - don't. I have it in writing.
It is wdely accepted that for ambos who become unwell with any illness or injury, but particularly psychological ones, that GIO & the ASNSW try the hardest for 2 outcomes. They screw with you so hard that you give up the fight, you just aren't strong enough to endure the constant absolutely disgusting treatment that you receive. To the contraire, that they push you so hard that you just can't cope with the humiliation, fear, depression and disbelief that you commit suicide.
That only leaves 1 or 2 cases, and for those they pay you "gag" money to shut you and your family up.
I exagerate not in the slightest.
After 20 years, we are in financial ruin, everything we earn via "social security" pays medical bills.
However we are one of few. I am a strong woman on the outside. I love my man and ambo "for better or for worse". After all this time 4 years out of the job, I am still fighting not just for us, in many ways it is too late for us, but as my husband says for the good guys remaining.
For all you gutless, fucking wonders out there who like to do lots of complaining, but when the time comes to stand up and be counted, expose the truth, and support your sick and injured you cower like dogs - you deserve what you get.
To those out there hurting - there is help. Places like St John of God, The Police Post Trauma Support Group etc are wonderful. Ironically, ex ambos are joing the Police group because there's nothing for ambo's. In this group you realise you are not alone, the wives feel supported, the children can express their anger.
There are many people in the ASNSW and that would include every manager & superintendent, i wouldn't pee on you if you were on fire. To those we are fighting for, for those suffering like us I wouldn't want to expose you to our suffering if you were my wort enemy.
Do you realise that for 20 years in the Armed Forces you get a golden handshake and a retirement as a respected service provider. For ambos if they are lucky enough to get to 20 years service you get a life sentence in a jail tougher than the worst in Indonesia. It is a life you cannot escape from.
The ASNSW has a lot to answer for. We all know of the abusive management, over work, pathetic pay, intolerable conditions and lack of basic OHS. How many other professions don't even have a meal break written into their award, don't have a fatigue policy (the ASNSW may say they do but that s utter bullshit), don't recognise PTSD and provide treatment, don't educate families of its signs, have a Zero tolerance to bullying & harssment that actually just means that they have a zero attitude.
Look I could go on, as you can probably tell i have had a gutful. To all you good guys, stand up and be counted, it's the only wy to instigate change. Do it togerther. If I could I would give my name. Unfortunately our matter is finally before the courts and i could jeopardise our case.
If you don't have legal reasons, tell your story to anyone who'll listen, the more public the better, bombard politicians, use the next coming election to highlight what "labor" has done in NSW, let them know what Union REp's are like who are part of the Labor movement.
Subscription to the HSU for 30 years (husband was an allied health professional previously) was the biggest waste of money. in our hour of need, McClellands were useless, the HSU administration couldn't answer basic award questions, couldn't assist with anything really other than a "late notice" threatening legal action because subscriptions were not paid. Thanks Michael Williamson - you'll know who I am. I am the one who wrote begging for help. I knowyou read the email, but chose to ignore the plea.
Micahel Williamson you are a disgrace as a person let alone the representative of the most respected profession. Greg Rocheford and your management and your GIO cohorts you disgust me.
Ambo's who want change of conditions - go on strike, I am afraid to say, what is your life worth? Isn't yours more important than those you help? where along the way has saving lives of others come at the cost of your own.
I will keep reading and writing with interest, and when the time is right, you'll hear more of me. I am not afraid to stand and be counted!!
To the wife of an ambo i agree with you totally.
I am to the wife of an ambo.He has been an ambo for just over 10years,prior to that he spent about 14 years in the Department of Defence.(army)
I feel that his enermys treated him better than the svc and HSU.
I spent 10yrs myself in the Army this is where i met my husband.I left on a Full TPI gold card with a reasonable pension.Yes I was looked after but not without a fight too.But I think this happens to most when it comes to any sort of Government having to pay you.
We couldnt go out on strike at all.This is what amases me more than anythink that these Ambos can whing so loud yet when it comes to standing loud and firm they mostly cower behinde each other!!!
They will not be sacked,what government would sack 3000 ambos.If not to go totally on strke,they cower about putting bans on,or take them off at awim.
I find it amazing that they believe everything a HSU delegates tells them yet they never question them.
They believe that the health minister will look after them yet she is screwing the public why do they think that they are any different to the public.
How long do they want to stand around (ambos) and wait?
I read that D&D and yes it is nothing but a farce,I dont beleive this will help and the members need to read this carefully to make sure they are getting what they want.
But "same old same old"we will leave it up to someone else to read.
The members need to put HSU on notice,get someone independant to read the D&D and go through all the fine print.
If this D&D was written up by someone in the Government you can bet your life on it that it wont be in the favour of the ambo!!
Time to act before this election,time to show the HSU,Government that Ambos are there to help others .... BUT we are here to help ourself first.Because without us they dont have an ambulance svc.
I feel for you the wife of an ambo,I to have many days where it can be all abit much to cope with.But I to love my husband,and wouldn't desert him under any circumstances.I know he was not like this when i met him and married him.
I do feel that the SVC lets the familys down to,and it is us that these men and woman come home to after some horrific accidents and murders.
Hang in there, I hope all goes well.
Wife Central c.
Anonymous and Wife Central c,
Thankyou for sharing your tragic experiences with us......i'm actually lost for words.
I can only say that on behalf of all the dedicated ambos out there we apologise for the actions of those grotty individuals that unfortunately associate with us.
Take care
Whinging wives, I have the feeling that you would whinge no matter what you husbands did.
You add the the negativity culture in the ASNSW, which you obviously have a limited knowledge of.
Spider you are a suck. You must be a District Officer or above, or want to be one.
Mr Honest
Pull ya fucking Head In you Rude bastard .You probably a cock sucking arse licking uncompasionate D.O or corpoarate Ladder Climber who enjoys nothing but being a yes MAN!!!!
Are you people silly, obviously people write imflammatory comments just to get a bite.
You gratify those comments by reacting. Calm down, it is a blog, the same person could have posted many different comments under many different names.
What a bunch of retarted dumb fucks most of you appear to be.
This site is pathetic.
hey bunsuk ya,
you sound like you have a short fuse. You probably get the shits with grannies who ring at 3am in the morning
I hope i never work with you.
No doubt you are a dickhead.
yeh right the army never fuck or cover anything up. "Kovco".
GRUNT SCAB!
Mr Honest,
Imagine making derogatory comments to the 2 ladies who shared their experiences with us.
How does slime like you get into our service.
Mr Honest it maybe that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others of what not to be.
hello, good morning
i haven't been writing a letter to you. I'm misses you ambos, I rub my duckie when not here , U don’t learn funny ambos, you still in same union as boss. I would ruv it if you rould shtay here foreever. Buy funny ambos. if I see you again I'm very happy.
bye ambo see you
agin
Steady, steady, steady ! LISTEN ....we have outlived the idiots (probably die hard union officials) that have attempted in vain to destroy the credibility of this site. We are unconvering day by day, more and more evidence to substaniate the uselessness and ineffectiveness of the HSU and are now seeing the real and extremely sad effects of what these people have done and will eventually do to all of us if we continue to sit around and do nothing.
What we are all hearing here, is just the tip of the ice burg and many more of you are going to suffer if we dont get some REAL representation and SOON!
But 250 votes ?? c'mon guys get real.... EVERYONE needs to contact 5 people tomorrow and let them know about this site, because i spoke to about 15 other ambos only yesterday, and not ONE of them new about it ! PHONE, EMAIL or TEXT them... YES YOU ! if you cant think of 5, then just email or ring one person you know ! We need a thousand Votes within the next two weeks, or we will let them win again.
Real Ambo -
I appreciate your effort in setting this blog up. Well done. But it has degenerated into a farce. May i suggest that to ensure that comments posted here are authentic and monitored, you enable 'Comment moderation' in your preferences. Thus all will have to register to use this site and the insults, crap and such can be filtered out.
Spider are you stupid?
I say those things to get a rise out of you. It works doesnt it.
The two ladies are probably the same person. It is cyberspace. I feel sorry for you that you appear to take everything that is written on this site as gospel.
I know one person who is responsible for atleast 130 blogs on this site under differnet names.
You my friend could be mistaken for a goose.
I bet Ill see you on A Current Affair after some bloke rips you off, due to you being gulble.
bye
Thats gulable, sorry!
Mr Honest,
Re: say those things to get a rise out of you. It works doesnt it.
I actually know about the case that our first Anonymous lady mentioned. If you didn't know about it you might want to give her the benefit of the doubt with all time, effect and detail she gave us.
You did'nt really get "a rise" out of me at all my friend. All you did was show your lack of compassion and understanding to this poor women.
If you are indeed an Ambulance Officer, and I expect your not,you should be ashamed of yourself.
Your comments about me being a goose, a current affair etc, being "gulable" were a cheap shot that any 9 year old could write in an average english class.
Your contributions to this forum are dull, boring and laboriously immature.
Please grow up.
Bye
To those of you genuine and compassionate writers who are wanting to change the ASNSW and appreciating the heartache of suffering ambos & their families, thank you for your care & compassion. I am that "ambo's wife" who wrote our story.
To the gentleman who so rudely replied that "I would whinge" regardless of what my husband did you are clearly ignorant of the widespread suffering and abuse. I would not want our experiences to be experienced by you even in the face of your rudeness.
I do hope that PTSD never jumps up and grabs you around the neck like it did to my husband. And if you think that it won't then you truly are a fool.
If I were a whinger I wouldn't be taking the time to write & read with interest of others in our situation.
I stopped caring what people thought of me many years ago. I have had to fight with every ounce of strength that I have to keep going. At every turn there is a battle. Unfair dismissal (won by Australia's leading legal firm - but done pro bono because of the severity of the injustice and treatment by the ASNSW and confirmed by IR Commissioner); medical care (thank God we kept our private health insurance or I feel for sure that my husband would be dead); medical misconduct by GIO doctors; lawyers disbelieving the facts that you describe; for justice; for social security assistance (humiliating); the everything!
Trust me nothing is handed to you.
I cannot begin to describe the lack of care, the lack of understanding, the lack of common decency that officers who become unwell are treated.
As a family, our children have suffered immeasurable pain. They have so much built in anger. They lived their lives with a dad who worked his guts out (sometimes 60 - 80 hours a week), being called to work at every birthday, every school function, every special event. A man who worked 15 Christmas's straight, never had a New Years Eve off, covered call for every other person that asked, cooked meals for colleagues who couldn't get home for Christmas dinner,a man who could hold his head high.
Now they see a man who is sad, a man who cries at the sight of an accident, cannot drive a vehicle, cannot tolerate sound, cannot tolerate the sight of an ambulance vehicle, will not shop during the day, won't go to a hospital, won't dress or shower, won't socialise, has lost contact with friends and is a shadow of the dad they knew. The are angry. Not so much with what their dad has, but how he has become the "criminal", the one people "love to hate", that "must be lieing!
Heaven forbid should anyone of our family ever require an ambulance.
The strange & ironical thing is that the person who was so rude and can only resort to "name calling and inuendo" is one of the individuals that caused my husbands disability. They are the persons that Zero Tolerance Policies are written for. I imagine that with such a disturbing and belittling attitude there would be a great deal of conflict & angst in staff that have to cope with that abuse.
All of you that have said you don't like the insults, the swearing without context or content.... cheers to you!
To those who perpetrate it, let's hope that you become a piece of birdshit that can be washed off!!
Oh and if you think I have no knowledge of the ASNSW you couldn't be farther from the truth.
In the past 4 years I have had to memorise The NSW Health Department Leave Matters Manual, The Ambulance Officer's Award (NSW), Workers Compensation Legislation, Every Policy Directive issued by the Health Department, the 3 P's, the effect of fatigue, the 20 years of work done by my husband (including graphic details of multiple fatalities, dismembered & mutilated bodies, dead children, victims burnt alive, hangings & suicides, rapes & assault, drug overdoses, deaths from cancer, death's of colleagues),every page of work written in further university study, every promotional application, every report to management and every report & document that has been written about our family since then.
Can I say, please don't even try to indicate my level of knowledge of the ASNSW - to the contraire there is little that I don't, and nothing that surprises me.
As a result of my exposure to all this "stuff" I too have been to that dark place. The place where there is no hope. The place that is so bloody lonely. Again I can only thank the Police Post Trauma Support Group and their Spouse Support Program and St John of God.
We as a family are not going crazy - we are just under too much pressure. Medication, psychological counselling and associated treatments all assist. But the one thing that is of most comfort is that you are not alone.
I will never forget a group spouse session where each of us just cried and cried in our our grief. A young daughter was their also. Until then she too thought that it was her fault that her dad was sick - she now understands.
Do you all remember the young officer in Cowra who committed suicide ( a mum with young children). What sort of dreadful abuse must she have experienced to want to end her life.
I have been there.
It is ironic that as an organisation that is trusted and cares for others, that by those very people are treated with such lack of care & profesionalism.
Again, I am not hiding with anonimity. I full well intend to write a book, a book that will be a comfort for those enduring the same struggles. But also one that is honest, confronting and extremely accurate.
My husband, my children and me we have nothing to hide, nor be ashamed of.
The only way that you can make this ASNSW change is to stand together and expose the corruption, abuse, dreadful conditions, inept managers, lack of basic conditions, fatigue, mental illness and to stamp out the cockroaches named GIO.
Let the public know how the Health Department treats you. Just start your own union - since when do you have to ask? Australia is a free country. Without Union Members Mr Williamson and his useless cohorts don't have a job!!
These arguments aren't all about HSU - they are only a small part of the problem. The 3000 ambo's
are the main issue. This is not a political argument, it's an argument about your lives, you must realise that. You must live evey day as if it were your last, because tomorrow your whole world can change - it did for us.
Stop and smell the roses as the saying goes. What's more important,the HSU & ASNSW Management or humane working conditions, supportive structures (such as reduced hours, physical exercise, stress reduction programs, counseling, healthy meals, good safe equipment, psychological monitoring after horrendous trauma, education for family & colleagues, training in conflict resolution) and a dramatically improved professional salary that must also include free Disability & Income Protection governed by a medical authority not an insurance company.
All too hard, no just not what the ASNSW want to hear.
Please take care to all wives & families, know that you are not alone. To you ambo's, be kind to yourselves, hold your head high and actively fight to remove the dirt in the ASNSW that doesn't belong - regardless of level.
Oh and to finish, the Wife Central C and myself are not the same person.
I do not lie, I only have to tell it as it is.
The wife at Central C so does she.
Also to spider whoever you may be, thank you for your kind words.
You may be someone we know, or someone I have told our story to. You see I am not afraid, if someone asks I'll tell the story. The more it's told, the more people know and are are left speachless.
The ASNSW will NOT gag me. I didn't work for them.
Being a woman who is strong, intelligent and outspoken is not something which makes people like Mr Honest feel comfortable.
His comments don't upset me, I pity his lack of intelligence and ability to string a cohesive thought together.
But Australia has free speech, I just wouldn't pay to read yours Mr Honest.
I might be wrong, but I think I could engage a large number of readers with my heartfelt accounts. You just wouldn't be one of them.
Anonymous only for now!!!
The 2 'ambo ladies wives' and 'rik' should jointly share the steering party for our own union. I would happily transfer my union funds to them, in fact pay extra, for them to set up a fighting fund on our behalf. Seems they are the minority who actually understand and tell the truth, as it exists in our working lives.
November 15! State wide delegates meeting!
Lets hope some serious measures are taken in regards to our wage claim. A push to haave a claim date brought forward and to see a signed off D and D! If not, surely the time has come to put the bans back on and get some heavy duty industrial action started from the 15 November and keep it on until we are happy with the results.
Many years ago, my training officer kept singing this song. I would encourage you to read the lyrics below and even sing it as you go about your work each day.
The song is by ROBERT PLANT and called "Ship Of Fools".
I now understand why he kept singing it ...
--------
We're setting sail to a place on the map
From which no-one has ever returned
Drawn by the promise of the joker and the fool
By the light of the crosses that burned
Drawn by the promise of the wormen and lace
And the gold and the cotton and pearls
It's the place where they keep all the darkness you need
You sail away from the light of the world on this trip, baby
You will pay tomorrow
You're gonna pay tomorrow
You will pay tomorrow
Oh, save me, save me from tomorrow
I don't want to sail with this Ship of Fools, no, no
Oh, save me, save me from tomorrow
I don't want to sail with this Ship of Fools
I want to run and hide
Right now
Avarice and greed are gonna drive you over the endless sea
They will leave you drifting in the shallows
Drowning in the oceans of history
Traveling the world, you're in search of no good
But I'm sure you'll build your Sodom like you knew you would
Using all the good people for your galley slaves
As your little boat struggles through the warning waves
But you don't, pay
You will pay tomorrow
You're gonna pay tomorrow
You're gonna pay tomorrow
Oh, save me, save me from tomorrow
I don't want to sail with this Ship of Fools, no, no
Oh, save me, save me from tomorrow
I don't want to sail with this Ship of Fools, no, no
Where's it coming from
Oh, Where's it going now
It's just a, it's just a Ship of Fools
--------
I KNOW THIS SONG !!!!
YOU MUST HAVE HAD THE SAME PARAMEDIC TRAINING OFFICER AS ME !!!
THE SONG IS BY 'WORLD PARTY' AND NOT ROBRERT PLANT.
YES, YES, IT SHOULD BE OUR THEME SONG !!!!
THE LINK IS BELOW -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdeIZkZo2PM
Hilarious, absolutely hilarious.
One of the best posts guys.
If this song wasn't cracking me up so much it would be sad.
Talk about a song that describes our situation so well.
I am going to try to find a mp3 of this and put it on cd so i can play it over and over again at work as i drive around in my red and white taxi.
Real Ambo ?
Really November 15th there is going to be a state wide delegates meeting ???
WOW i wonder what sort of devastating action we will recomend this time ?
Maybe we will all agree to use blue pens instead of black or hold back for a few minutes on pressing the off stretcher button, that would really force them into some action eh !
Does anybody out there realise that more than 95% of the address that you didnt write last time, could be extracted from the CAD system and billed anyway ? (Yet more proof that the union are in bed with senior management)... as if you really needed it.
what a bloody hoot. i can't stop laughing at that video. who do you think the titanic represents? and love that little line towards the end-all aboard. what a crack up. we should pay someone to make our own video and use this song as the track
Spider, Thanks I am still getting a rise out of you.
to those 2 gutsy ladies,
would you please post those comments on the "what the politicians are saying" section
or use Ms Skinners email address which she has supplied.
If Ms Skinner is as good as she looks in the media, you may be innundated by the press.
What you both have described is a disgrace, but unfortunately so thyical of ASNSW management there are DOZENS and DOZENS of cases like yours.
If the ASNSW have screwed you over (they had quite a few tries at me) post it on the above site and cc to this comment site.
Sadly the media, when they finally get off their arses, love a good sob story (I am NOT being flippant).
How they hell they have overlooked 3 suicides that I know of (and it sure WASN'T road work stress)makes you wonder.
I can't even begin to understand how the sheer numbers of ambos who just quit isn't given far greater emphasis by the pollies OR the press
Rik Shepherd
PS that D&D shit still ain't worth the paper it is written on, chuck the thing out and demand a proper one
I just emailed the extracts from the 2 ladies to Ms Skinners address.
I suggest all of you take the 30secs it takes to cut & paste the article and email it to her at the address below - DO SOMETHING POSITIVE instead of just reading all of this !!!!!!!
Jillian.Skinner@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Hi there, I am another wife of an ambo. Yes number three for the rude guy assuming we are replicating ourselves!! I would just like to say that in these cases of PTSD that it is often incredibly difficult on the wives and families as the other wives have stated. We are the ones left to pick up the pieces, continue to try and deal with providing a stable secure environment for our children, deal with trying to present a normal facade to the public (due to dickheads like some of you who think PTSD is nonsense), and try to help navigate and support our husbands through the bullshit placed on them by GIO etc. And yes we do also suffer in a different way. It is incredibly hard to remain focused on that tiny tiny light at the end of the tunnel(which remains very distant no matter what) and not to either abandon your husand and leave for what may be the greener grass on the other side or become do overloaded that you end up thinking suicidal thoughts yourself.
in the first chorus of that video, where he sings the save me from tomorrow bit, just pretend that the people standing behind him are members of the HSU and management, paying particular attention to them smiling. It cracks me up !
an ambo I know took 2 weeks off after he attended to a 6 year old who had wanded off from a family picnic and tragically drowned. his own daughter was the same age at the time of the incident.
GIO would not accept liability. GIO's pychologist meet with the ambo and interviewed him. in his report he stated that the ambo was progessing well and was fit to return to full duties at work....even though he only seen this ambo once.
also in the report was a statement from this ambos District Officer stating that since he had known this officer he thought he may have had some underlying pychological problem. the ambo had never been fronted by management about this.
thus GIO took no responsibilty for the trauma this ambo had suffered and the claim was knocked back.
it would be interesting to find out under the Freedom of Information (FOI) how many pychological stress claims are actually approved by GIO. but I think most importantly how many are actually supported by management.
Iam the second wife on this blogg,the wife from the Central coast.My husband is a ambo,you all know well.He works very hard for you all,doing his bit for the his sub branch.
I do think it is time that the wives were able to have an input into this debate as well.Our comments are honest and supportive,We may not be out there day and night serving your community,,,,, No we are the ones at home keeping it all together.
I congradulate the first wife for courage and her support and more storyes need to be told.This is just not about you ambos this hole business effects our family.
And quite frankly if think we are whingers you havent been reading the blogg.The wives have only made a few comments,how many have you men made !!!!!
Wife C.C
To the ASNSW MANAGEMENT !The only reason why you are not hearing more of these HORROR stories here... and they are horror stories, is that people are so afraid of recrimination through identification, that they would rather suffer in silence.
I am one of these people who desperately begged the fair and equitable treatment i sholuld have been afforded from you by law ! But your bullying, denial and continued harassment was so opressive that i eventually just gave up.
The episode in question was prolonged and continous and eventually cost me my marriage and my sanity. Reduced to antidepressents and sleeping tablets just to get by, the ASNSW has changed my life forever.
And guess what ? .... the Union stood by and did absolutely nothing !
The anger you are hearing on this blogg is as much about the hidden cost of the bullying management in power at rozelle as it is about pay and d&d.
To David R
It's me the anonymous wife again...
This behaviour by GIO is exactly how they behave every time.
Undoubtedly the GIO Psychologist would have been Mr Greg Sawyer. What a true gentleman!!
He arrives in his fancy gold car, looking like a smiling assasin, and has a favourite saying of "I get the picture".
During my husbands interrogation, he wasasked to describe the worst thing he had experienced. Looking dumbfounded, with tears in his eyes, he sat trying to recount out of thousands of cases what was the worst.
He gave an account of a multiple fatality of an entire family of 5 that he is reminded of every time he drives past the well cared for 5 crosses beside the highway.
Mr Sawyer, urged him to describe the event in detail. When he started to recount the horror, that a little girl was hanging onto life but that you couldn't tell which part of the body was her as opposed to her deceased brother Sawyer flippantly waved his hand, smiled and said "Yes yes I get the picture"
To be quite frank, he didn't have any fucking idea!!
GIO as employed by the ASNSW have a lot to answer for. They too are grossly negligent in the provision of a service. Their case managers seem to believe that they are doctors, psychologists,medical experts, and therapists. They aren't.. they are glorified pen pushers acting on behalf of an insurer who is trying to minimise expenses. There is nothing in their charter that says they have to care.
I could give a month long seminar on how GIO Screws Ambo's!!
The "Hired Guns" they hire, such as Dr Alan P White, Dr Klauss Akkerman, DR Leonard Lee should all be struck off the Medical Registration Board. They are vile, disgusting filfth that pray on those who are vulnerable and who are paid by GIO to produce abusive "reports of fiction" with no semblance of truth. I almost vomit at the sound of the names.
After an "assessment" by White my husband & I thought a car & a tree looked pretty good!
The ASNSW Management they make my skin crawl. Quite happy to spruke off as if they know you intimately and make comments like "he always seemed highly strung", "that he made like difficult for himself". They hide behind reports they never expect to viewed in public.
The colleagues like Mr Honest, well there were many waiting like vultures to eat their prey. Anyone who tries to step outside of the box, make change, think for themselves and challenge conditions they're viewed as a threat.
I have waited a long time to be able to safely say this, but to the gutless wonders who wanted to ensure that their comments were recorded by GIO "Not on the record" ... bigger fools you. Did you not realise that courts supbonea information.
So to the officers who took a strike at me, I am having the last say..
One in particular seemed to have great insight into my family's personal life, but to correct your misguided statements of alleged truth.
1. My husband & I are not compulsive litigants as you said you"knew". Oh if that includes placing a claim through for car insurance, then we must by your accounts be guilty.
2. If the criteria for making a "good wife" is dependent on ensuring that frozen pies are off the menu. Then I agree I failed. But unfortunately you miserable bastard I gave up years ago cooking gourmet meals that got reheated a dozen times or not eaten at all because there was no time for a meal. For those of you reading this, yes that's how low the comments have been, I apparently sent a frozen pie as a meal with my husband making me less than suitable as a wife!!!!
3.My husband has 2 family's. He has his adopted family and since 2005 his birth family. He is the eldest of 5 and we have a wonderful, wonderful family. But it seems the same bastard as above believes that my husbands unfortunate illness is because of his alleged toturous thoughts of being adopted.Further he felt the need to tell GIO Investigators that. Again quite frankly, you hypocritical religious christian prick, and you know who you are you don't have any bloody idea. You are a waste of my oxygen, and i hope you squirm as other colleagues read of your disgusting gutless actions.
I am angry. I am also a good person, I don't need to denegrate others or pretend I can read the bible to prove my ability to care and be compassionate.
What our family has learned and how we have been treated makes my blood boil.
The sad part is you can't even defend yourself against these misguided idiots.
These are some of the issues that require immediate attention.
1.An immediate change in salary to at least $45 - $50 per hour, plus monetary recognition for qualifications such as University Education etc.
2.An Immediate Trust Fund paid the the NSW State Government for every officer of at least 25% of their annual income (not base) to be managed by an independent financial fund. This would be immediately available in the event of a permanent disability.
3. An immediate change to the way that psychological conditions are managed.GIO should be totally excluded. The care must be provided by the leading experts in this Nation. Eg Australian Centre for PTSD in Melbourne,St John of God in Sydney.
4. The ASNSW should be punished via punitive monetary guidelines in the event that an officer is subject to further harm whilst undergoing psychological treatment.
5. An automatic Pension paid as equal to the average weekly earnings prior to going off sick which is increased in line with all award and CPI increases until the person attains the age of 65.
6. A review of all education and support in the area of PTSD and Depression. This should also be managed independently by experts.
7. A complete review of work hours so that fatigue is eliminated. This would include shorter hours, defined meal breaks, defined physical exercise breaks prior to going home (access to trainer & gym on all sites), health checks, provision of healthy foods or vouchers that can only be redeemed for healthy food that supports sustained energy release and keeps stress minimised, trained independent psychological counselling (and I don't mean the bandaid EAP or Peer Debriefers who are often themselves unwell)
8. A separate support program for families, including specific child care centres for ASNSW personnel.
9. A complete enquiry and clean sweep of all management who at any time have been involved in reported cases of bullying & harrassment.
10. Immediate dismissal of those staff found to be in breach of any area where there is a "Zero Tolerance".
11. A new, more suitable uniform, protective equipment and equipment more relevant to the standards available.
12. Like all other Organisations, Trainers & Assessors who can make decisions about RPL & RCC to minimise training budget waste but maximise patient care.
13. Automatic requirement to meet the same guidelines as all other organisations in the community.
13. Immediate removal of Greg Rocheford who has blatantly swept under the carpet the suicides, the total & permanent disabilities, the abuse by GIO and issued direct instructions to deny liability at any cost.
14.For the ASNSW to accept, compensate and importantly apologise for their negilgence over the 20 years which continues unebated today.
I'm not prepared, nor should any of you, to accept anything less than the above. Too hard no.
Easy really.
Let's face it, clean the slate at the top and you'll save milions, improve conditions and you'll pay less sick leave, improve conditions and have guidelines in place to care for those injured and you'll pay less to lawyers courts and hired guns - all improve productivity, staff morale and patient care & public perception.
There really isn't an alterantive.
For the lovely comment that you'd be happy to pay "us gutsy ladies" to represent you with a fighting fund - I am happy to do that.
Give me a number i can call confidentailly and I'll tell you all that you want to know.
By the way, I have already emailed Ms Skinner and like most politicians didn't give me the respect of a reply.
I would certainly think that from now until 23rd November we should all be using political powere. If you look at what it is like in NSW, do you want them also running our nation.
I don't.
What a shameful group we are letting our conditions deteriorate to this. We have nobody else to blame except our selves. It is disgusting. For once in our damn bloody careers, we should stand up, united, and never let this deplorable situation occur again.
If we don't, well we have no one else to blame.
Me too, i don't want to sail on this ship of fools anymore ...
Dear 'anonymous wife again' -
1. Can you please take over the helm of our Union ?
OR
2. Can you please be our CEO ?
Better still - DO BOTH !
You have my vote and my money maam!
If more had the tenacity that you display, we would never have sunk to these depths.
I have a classic, real time example of how sub-branch executives of HSU and management don't really care about an ambos welfare.
There a still stations in the state where officers are forced to work alone on a daily basis, Kangaroo Valley, Merriwa, Stroud and Murrurundi that we know about so far.
What about the patients?, How do you save someone in cardiac arrest or someone who is seriosly injured when you are working by yourself?. What about the officers psychological and physical safety? Most of these stations need to wait at least 30min for another officer to back them up.
So I suppose the question has got to be asked why? When for as long as I can remember it has even been against HSU policy to have rosters where officers are forced to work alone.
Why aren't the sub-branch executives enforcing these policies? Why aren't they jumping up and making a noise about it? This is obviously an OH&S issue wouldn't you think. Why aren't management doing anything about it?
The answer is because those same sub-branch executives of HSU, who are supposed to be looking after their fellow members get a paid call-out to back these single officers up.
That's right they are making money at the expense of proper patient care and the wellbeing of their fellow ambulance officers.
And obviously management save money by not having to adequately staff these stations.
This is why for me I don't believe in HSU. HSU is a living breathing contradiction, as I detailed above they bend and manipulate the rules to suit themselves.
Well said spider... lets get even more real..... FACT: an Officer has committed suicide just about every year since i joined the job, two of whom i knew personally !!!
Why have the heck have HSU not bothered to setup an enquiry into a single one of these deaths ?
anonymous wife:
you can email at rik001@tpg.com.au
in fact ANYONE who can verify misdealings from ASNSW executive or GIO can do the same.
YOU deserve better, hell I deserved better, but my injuries that made me tpi are old and I just live with it.
DON'T think that this D&D shit will help you either. Your beloved Labor government brought in workcover which cost US millions. They pay the bills for GIO too remember.AND their "Health" department has made us a third world country
What a caring group of unionists they are, don't forget to vote for them next month !!!!!
Rik Shepherd
The politicians don't care about us.
It's all just lip service relative to their term in office.
Management don't care about us.
They pander to the polititians.
The union don't care about us.
They pander to management.
When is the penny finally going to drop ?
Or are we all destined to be the crew on that ship of fools ?
To all
Yes it's the wife again!
Gee I'm dumbfounded. After 4 years I have not had any compliments or support. I am not accustomed to compliments!
I would be happy to represent you all at a National or State Level.
You don't need a union, you just need someone who has some common sense, compassion, first hand experience and a budget that meets the needs of staff.
Gee I wouldn't even expect an ivory tower. I'd be happy to have an income of any sort - I'm not accustomed to having that either.
Poverty is a way of life - an experience everyone should aspire to!!!!!
No seriously, I'd be happy to!
I don't know that I am that gutsy, it has been through necessity. My favourite saying is that life wasn't meant to be easy, but it's not meant to be this bloody hard either.
For 4 years people keep saying there is light at the end of the tunnel. Trouble is we haven't found the tunnel and I think that's because some mongrel put out the light!!
Humor, tenacity and being the most educated you can be all helps.
Over an above everything - the fight is for justice, recognition and recompence for my husbands life of serving others.
As a friend from another service said to me, "he has selflessly looked after our community we should be looking after him now. I feel ashamed as a human being to hear of your horror"
That's why I fight.
I'm really starting to get pissed off reading all of this. What a shambles we are. Where is someone like 'Rik' is this era? We need people with some bloody balls like him to take up the fight.
greg roachford wass a mental health nurse.
you would think he would know about ptsd but he was probably as lousy as a nurse as he is as our ceo
Hey Rik, do you want the job of starting a new union with help of course ? tou have time on your hands and i know you are a good bloke! You will hear from me soon.
Lets hope on Thursday all the sub=branches can stick together, get some immediate action going because as we all know it is a disgrace the situation we are all in!
Great idea. You can have my union fees Rik. In fact i'll pay you bloody double. And throw in extra so you can hire the ambo wives as well.
Serious folks. A guy like Rik. Been around and currently an untouchable.
What do you think mate? Any interest!
You know after my contact with HSU in 2004 and their obvious total lack of support, I was asked by a lawyer "why aren't you using your union's solicitors?"
My answer:
Michael Williamson and most of his cohorts are all Labor Party members and office bearers - why fight for your cause, it would be like saying they disagreed with their own morals, their own party!! It has always a done deal. The only time you are going to get any satisfaction is to have representation for conditions not money or political motivation.
I was speaking to officers at one of the venues spider talks of. The first thing that we agreed on was that HSU was only lining their own pocket.
Let's be blunt and demand answers from the NSW Department of Health:
1. How many cases of bullying & harrassment are reported to the Professional Conduct & Standards each year? And, how many have a result where an officer or manager is actually disciplined or heaven forbid dismissed? And how often is the officer who reported the matter aplogised to , counselled & compensated? Or how many are vilified?
2. How many officers are petrified of reporting abuse, violence bullying and harrassment for fear of recrimination? I can answer that - look at the number of anonymous writers?? Let me tell you I have the documented proof that management retaliated immediately when a certain Sector Manager who is now no longer in the service but was well known in North Coast & Hunter for her dreadful management was challenged.
3. Why are the suicides and the TPD's resulting from negligence not public and not independently investigated?
4. Why has there been no satisfactory outcome to the issue of long term liver damage through the use of Methoxyflurane in confined spaces?
5. More importantly why is the ASNSW NOT USING Active Carbon Chambers with the Penthrox In halers to scavange any excess Methoxy vapours? Actually do you officers know they exist.
6. Why does the ASNSW always choose the cheapest shitty option, with no regard for OHS. Everyone else is using Fentanyl in the correct INPCA with lockout times that come packaged as a unit.
7.Why is the ASNSW NOT using the ARC Cardiac Arrest Guidelines for all ages like everyone else.
8.Where is the ASNSW Fatigue Policy? No the pretend one that gets spoken of in court and in reports but the one that uses risk probability and a hierachy of controls to eliminate the possibility of injury.
9. Where is the policy that dictates where On Call officers must live?
10. Where is the policy that dictates the policy on Critical Incident Stress?
11. Why hasn't Workcover been investigating the death's, suicides, near misses and major injuries/illnesses?
12. Why does the ASNSW NOT USE the correct procedure for medical retirement of sick/injured workers.
13. How can the ASNSW say that a matter of assault has been fully investigated when not one person has spoken to the victim?
14.Part of the ASNSW return to work strategy is that management are to ensure continued contact and support of the officer and their family. How do the ASNSW keep getting away with the blatant disregard for a legal requirement?
15. It is a basic requirement that employers must provide a healthy & safe workplace. Why is it that Officers are not supplied with bottled water, rest breaks and administrative controls in the face of severe climatic conditions? eg. 47 degree day, 6 -7 hour rescue job without any food or water?
16. Officers are routinely vaccinated for Hep B, but have to pay for Hep A themselves?
17. What precautions are taken to eliminate the risk of needlestick injuries given that there is more advanced & safer equipment available.
We should be asking and expecting real answers - not political clap trap.
The Wife!
A lasting thought before you all meet on the 15th.
Change is only going to happen if you make it.
Making really difficult decisions will be part of that change.
Some of the most difficult decisions will be to make a fresh start and to get rid of the people who have caused the problems and they aren't all at the top! The nature of management has allowed some real choice pricks into the rank & file. They're the up and coming superintendents!! So beware.
The wife
Hey Rik -
Listen you old bastard - If you reckon you can do something better for us and are prepared to put the time in, i'll put my money where my mouth is and start the 'fund' off with 2 grand. I am deadly serious. Interested ?
Poor lost souls,
Regarding your dissatisfaction about the the union issues, you can complain directly to the NSW Trades and Labour Council.
Believe it or not, they actually do listen and can act on your behalf.
Union memebership has fallen to approximatly 20% of the state's work force.
Increased work place disharmony and decreased widespread confidence in a representative union is a very touchy issue, especially at the moment.
Also, please don't forget to consider the NSW Ombudsman's Office.
Bruce Barbour and his team have wide and sweeping investigative powers and reports ONLY to the NSW Parliament.
They only recently completed an extensive investigation into the NSW Police Force about work place bullying and sexual harrassment at the Police Academy in Goulburn with some pretty good results.
Mind you, he has been appointed by the State Labour government, so it always pays to downgrade your outcome expectations somewhat.
www.ombo.nsw.gov.au
or 1800 451 524
You need to clarify with the alloted case manager who will give carriage to your complaint that it
will treated completely privatly and of course mark it is "Without prejudice."
Don't forget that a Protected Disclosure can also be put in as well, but that its power is limited and if discovered, you will suffer consequences and may well lose your job.
I don't mind being involved with the cause and will contact Rik directly to discuss same.
Just make a posting for me as I check this site every couple of days.
Please accept my need for anonymity with all of this.
Like you, I have been through a great deal myself.
P.A.P.
Remember a few years ago the rumours were going around that the service didnt want old timers in the job. Fact. Why because we know about things. They prefer to have young guns in that dont know how things are meant to be and who's eyes are covered for fears people have already spoken about.
History lessons are what is needed someone with experience very senior and well respected both on road and by management should go in to level 1 classes and teach these level 1 students about the service. Would many level 1's or even P1's know anything about the service before joining. What is CDA? What was a Ford F series ? When did Rescue or SCAT originate and why?etc etc
But for fucks sake we are dealing with trainees that do minimal road time before being thrust into the passenger seat on day one to buddy up with hopefully someone more senior than a Level 2. First job a cardiac arrest??? Good luck patient.
They dont even see inside an ambulance until the ride alongs which many have been told not to incur penalties and finish on time! Great Education do you forget once on road good luck if you return to station these days. I have had level 1's terrified they will get in trouble because they have red on timesheet.
The level 1's dont get to visit a hospital Emergency Department. A place where much time will be spent, how to handover what is a Triage area etc BUT do visit a prison ! Why??? I have in 15 years only been to a prison maybe 3 times to pick up patients.
Culture my friends has to change at the grass roots .... from day 1 in level 1. Hence Education needs an overhaul,we know that. I try my best on the road mentoring people on why, how and reasons we do things the way we do but unfortunately only few remember the finer road skills as the next two mentors are inexperienced and pass on no knoweldge.
Equipment. Why do we accept cheap and nasty equipment? Why does fleet have a say in what the vehicles are equipped with. Kits current box type that dont fit into designated spots. Go interstate people and see the same vehicles fitted by the same company that are more practical and safer to work in. However ours are the cheapest on the market. The bosses drive XR6's or better. Why dont they drive a base Falcon??
On to HSU there is a meeting when?? My sub branch has said nothing of this. What the fuck am I paying money for. Those informed can any member go to the meeting and if so where and when? Pull your heads out 4 & 6 sub branch
Hey rik.... you have my union fees as well if you want them, and i too will double them for the first year until we get on our feet !
And the rest of you !!! no matter what happens on the 15th... DO NOT TRUST THEM !
Hey Spider
If you are referring to the masons, you might be surprised that unions are generally dominated by Catholics who mainly are not too keen on the masons.
I know some managers still are masons but that is there choice.
I know this as I used to breed chickens for Steggles, then I switched to breeding goats for the masons as it was very lucrative back then. Don't know what they do with them, but they sure want lots of them.
Spider, are you a mason? What do you do with the goats man?
Anonymous you might be in the North Sydney Sub-Branch, Word is that their Soft Cock Puppet delegate is happy with the way things are progressing.
Meeting/What meeting? How about the west subbranch telling it's members as well!We know nothing about subbranch meeting or delegates meeting!Russel Lewis-how about informing us about what the hell is going on!Can someone tell us whats hapening on the 15th for chrissake
To anonymous wife
FYI
Hell has no fury as a woman scorned.
I am aware of that case with the 5 victims and clearly understand the difficulties your husband encountered.
PTSD is alive and well in the ASNSW and so is the description projected in your post. However Ambos are living sponges and can only sustain so much psychological ingestion from the environment in which they perform in. PTSD can manifest itself once our defense mechanisms are over run. It can only take that one case that we deal with routinely than can take you right over the edge. Traditionally the ASNSW have expected the troops to deal with it personally or at station level. Our managers are not trained in this area and are uncomfortable about emphasing with the troops as this might display a act of weakness.
IPS has personally been beneficial to me but I did not tell the ASNSW (you are not obliged to tell your employer)that I was seeking counselling as is available to you. Over a period of months I was able to deal with my PTSD, regain my composure and get back on track. I did this so I was able to fly under the radar of GIO and the slippery slope of the ASNSW 'problem child' approach by pursuing officers into career oblivion through Healthquest etc.
Perhaps this is not the done thing but has been prudent enough to reconnect with my wife and family and continue in the job.
Not everyone is suited for the job and certain individuals are unable to retrospectively be self aware of such strategies and how they are dealing with situations.
Oh knight rider !
You are so on the money !
if they and management were any closer, they would be kissing.
HI all you troops,well its been a day since ive been on the blogg,wow what a change we have ,,For the better of course.Its good to see the wives are speaking out.Good on you,yes its a battle no doubt about that.
Back to what i was telling you guys about getting your resignations into your delegate for next Thursdays delegates meeting.15/11/07
For you troops out there at West Sub branch this is just appauling that you dont even know about this meeting.
Iam guessing that you didnt have a sub branch meeting to endorce the 4% ?
Well i know what i would do with your president!!
time to get your resignations in,to force the HSU to act on your behalf.
you are giving them 13 weeks to get this whole work value case finilised.
Brisbane water sub branch have now 83 resignations,to take to the delegates meeting.
have you all written out your letters in black and white.
you have only 3 days left to get these either to Bribane Waters sub branch or if you trust your delegate give it to them
I personnally wouldnt trust yours from West sub branch.If you didnt know about the delegates meeting well what can i say work it out yourselves.
3DAYS troops get them in .
DENNIS.R.
good on ya Dennis .R. good see you back "OL mate"
yes time for those resignations,if you want to really do something you have to stand up,the storeys on the Blogg are only the tip of how real familys are hurting.
Its your last chance to back the HSU in a corner and make them work for you.Tell your delegate you want bans on.0800hrs Friday 16/11/07.they need to start straight away.
3 days everyone
Roadrunner "BEEP BEEP"
Funny that the service has so many employees at Rozelle who get paid base pay well over $70K to push keys on keyboards with very fancy titles but what happens when you go to them they steer you to someone else, then again onto another paper shuffler.
Strange how these are the people that deal with problems such as PTSD however have no idea what these things are.
They dont care and Ops are just the same. You attend a traumatic event good on you hopefully one of the very few good DI's will attend and speak to you and see if there is a genuine concern. Ops centre will only ask if you can clear for a 2B.
They may as well move Rozelle to a call centre in India and save money.
That is absolutely disgusting-nobody in the west i have talked to knows anything about this.Where/how do i fax my resignation to at brisbanewaters so i know it gets there? WHAT A FARCE
What do you mean by you thought it was in India ?
Is this another lie ?
I thought co-ord and CAD were all run from a call centre in India ...
Thats the only reason i have put up with ProQA - because the information gathering and dispatch regime is so RIDICULOUSLY WRONG ALL THE TIME that it must be in India ...
they were all in india to start. then they all got on that ship of fools and sailed over here.i here that proQA is now being run by a computer formaly known as dexter(from the tv show perfect match)
remember , 3 days to to go before we get even.all deadwood out.time for our rebirth
To P.A.P.
Please excuse my cyncism however at every turn I have had to resort to complaints to every Ombudsman you could think of. Do you know how time consuming and draining these processes are?
When you are already consumed with fatigue having to submit pages of reports and copies of evidence is it just another mountain.
The end result is more often than not "well that is a process out of our jusrisdiction". Or "because that assessment was done for the purposes of a Medico Legal Process the doctor is not actually providing care so we can't do anything about their treatment", "we appreciate your terrible circumstances, but unfortunately we cannot assist".
Trade Unions - I am sorry I have experienced enough to last a lifetime.
Complaints and reports are not the answer, fixing the problem is!
The wife
D and D,
Re: Spider, are you a mason? What do you do with the goats man?
Am I a mason? Hell no.
What do I do with the goats? I don't like goats they look evil. Some people even believe that goats are an ill omen sent by Satan himself, that they are the harbinger of plague, pestilence and the poor market share for the iPod.
However, for all you more junior officers out there I’d like to tell you a story. Many years ago, when HSU was HREA, a group of high ranking senior managers, who where also masons, set up a system where the rank and file and management were in the same union.
You may have heard the term "the brothers" from some of the oldies in the job.. Well they did exist.
Having everyone in the same union gave “the brothers” ultimate power. They ran Sydney Division, formally CDA, which ran the rest of the State. The brothers didn’t like anyone from Rozelle telling them what to do.
With the help of the rank and files own union HSU and Williamson, who I’ve nicknamed Willie Mason, they could do what they wanted. They could blame the CEO, the Executive or even the Board for anything that went wrong in the service. However, most of the things that did go wrong were generally through there own incompetence as they had control.
At one stage we where losing a CEO on average once a year. I think they even had the board sacked through their own, and HSU’s political connections. They wanted to keep control.
I could go on, but the bottom line is, and to his credit, Greg Rochford managed to sack, one way or another, most of the brothers. But the system that the brothers set up still exists where management is in the same union as the rank and file with Williamson as the State Secretary for both.
So there you have it. Your in your bosses union. They have control, you think you have control, but you don’t.
P.S. our last union rally over our wage claim was at Masonic Headquarters in Sydney……..do do do do, do do do do
This is a joke.
I have called my station (Sydney West) to double check after reading this forum and nobody knows anything about any union delegates meeting or such on the 15th !
Seems to me that the union may well be playing the 'don't tell them game'. And i have checked the HSU web site as well and no mention of anything.
This is totally unacceptable to me as a paying union member. And i say as well, Russell Lewis, get your act together my friend. This is an appalling situation.
To anonymous
"Hell has no fury like a woman scorned"
I was not sure of how to take your post?
I am not however a woman scorned - I am a woman who is battling a dreadful situation not of my chosing or that of my family's chosing. In fact this site is not about men or women, it is about the ASNSW. It is quite wrong to make this a discussion about whinging wives, scorned women etc. In the 21st Century I think we are beyond that.
I wasn't sure if you were implying that my description of the manifestation of PTSD as incorrect?
If this is the case, then may I suggest that every officer who reads this site go to some of the below addresses. Be careful, you may not like what you read!
PTSD can be simple (usually one event), or complex (as is often the case with emergency service personnel) with a range of events filling their cup to overflowing and yes accurately it can be any event that is the final undoing.
However PTSD can also be Chronic Complex PTSD and this has very poor outcome prognosis. This is the case where an accumulation of events (such as death, horror, helpessness in the face of death, bullying & harrassment) on top of poor workplace conditions (fatigue, abuse and lack of supprt) pushes a person over the edge, but is not recognised and treated in the early manifestation days.
IPS is not a treatment alternative in these cases, and must by IPS responsibility be referred to an external provider.
For these cases - returning to work doesn't become an option. They have a Total & Permanent Disability, which like any other disability you learn to manage for the best quality of life you can have.
Education and knowledge of PTSD, Major Depression and comorbidities such as alchol abuse, drug abuse & violence are all sorely lacking.
People who through no fault of their own present with this illness are randomly taken. In otherwords it is incorrect to imply that a "personality type" will be more "prone" to PTSD or Depression and thus less suited to the ASNSW.
When you think carefully, a good majority of ambo's join the hob with the thought of helping people. Assisting sick or injured. Let's face it you don't join for the money unless your a fool!
Every Ambo leaves themselves vulnerable to the possibility of PTSD, Depression, Alcohol abuse etc. And sadly it creeps up before you are aware of it.
Most wives or partners know when their husband does a "bad" job. You either see it on the news or see it in their manner & mood. They become quiet & withdrawn, usually numb their pain initially with a beer, then two, then three and as much as it takes to make the memories go, the sound of noisy children sends them spiralling into a rage, they avoid social occasions, they become angry with the worls and take it out on those closest, they usually have upset stomachs, their weight increases because of comfort food, the more they try to avoid the thoughts & fear the sadder they get. The more depressed the harder to function and so the spiral begins.
So I am extremely pleased that you have been able to return to work, and that IPS was of assistance - but bear a thought for those who couldn't escape GIO. It is not a planned path, it is certainly not a weak path - you'd probably kill yourself if you knew what was instore.
There are people at St John of God, good people from all the Emergency Services all telling the same story. There are many there year after year when the going just gets too tough. Anniversaries of the date that their career's were stolen and their grief began are often the triggers.
Just spare a thought for the families of officers who have committed suicide, imagine the anger & unanswered questions.
Today is quite a pertinent day. We remember our war dead and Legacy has a proud history of caring for the families left behind.
Ambo's who leave under these circumstances are forgotten in a day, replaced in a month, never remembered and sadly never have their families cared for.
The ASNSW really are a sad indibtment of the most caring professionals.
The Wife
http://www.bullyonline.org/stress/ptsd.htm
http://www.crufad.com/cru_index.html
http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Post_Traumatic_Stress
http://www.acpmh.unimelb.edu.au/mentalhealth/assessmentAndDiagnosis.html
http://www.anxietyaustralia.com.au/anxiety_disorders/post_traumatic.shtml
dear spider
i am beginning to think that you are really mental health nurse greg roachford.
the brothers had one thing in common with us in that they all wore a uniform. they were originallly in the psu and got better when they joined us as they were in the same union and had to abide by our rules.
if they still are so what look at these poor blind bastards trying to find when the deleget meeting is on or get their subbranch presidents to do something. they cant even find them
why did you vote for these idiots in the first place then? why didnt you stand for a position?
at this rate fuck all will happen on the 15th as usual
labour voter (not),
Re: at this rate fuck all will happen on the 15th as usual.
I think this thing about handing in our resignations from HSU on the 15th is a wank.
As I've said before if you give your resignation to a sub-branch delegate your resignation will never be processed anyway. Anyway, we shouldn't need to threaten to resign from HSU to get them to act.
Allot of sub-branch executives I know are so self obsesed, thinking they have the all the answers, they spend most of their time arguing between themselves and not getting anything done.
I expect after the meeting on the 15th Williamson will send out some sort of Global statement stating that things are in hand and the HSU is fighting hard for it's members...blah...blah...blah
The sad thing is most of us will believe it.
to the wife
I hope John is feeling better
I am in the Central coast and have known about the Delegates meeting for some time now.
Our delegate has made sure everyone new about. We are truly united in this branch. Our delegate knows exactly what the members want going into this meeting.
I have a feeling though FUCK WITS like LEWIS and BRUCE have made no such conact with their members, and will stall any forward movement at this meeting, or worse lie and say that they have consulted you and make another shit decision.
I can guarantee if you send Resignations to either BAteau Bay or Ettalong stations they will get through.
I am from Sydney South and know nothing of the meeting. Thats right two of our sub branch executive have been reassigned duties pending...... And the President is probably out on his boat. Great work 4 & 6
To The Wife,
Thanks for the info about the police support. Might get in contact with them. I can totally empathise with you about your husband not being able to tolerate noise, social situations etc. i have also lived in and through this scenario. As I said previously it is extremely hard on the whole family trying to walk that fine eggshell line trying to keep things as calm as possible for the health of your loved one whilst maintaing some sort of "normality" for your kids. And I did think at times that leaving was a far easier option(for me)not that I don't love my husband but as I'm sure you know there comes a point where you yourself think I can't take anymore. But stuck it out, which in a clearer frame of mind is obviously the best decision for our relationship, the health and LIFE of my huband and the benefit of my kids having a father who is ALIVE and a part of their everyday life.
To all you dickheads who have accused us three wives of just whinging, this is not about having a whinge but about tryin to get you ALL to understand that the lack of support, rescources,major OH&S issues such a sinlge response crew, combined with a totally useless union who SHOULD be busting there butts to fix these isues only leads to increased stress, decreased moral, lack of motivation in you guys. This on top of attending stressfull jobs exacerbates PTSD. Then comes the issue of the bullshit of GIO and there uncaring interogation, knowing full well that these guys are totally ubfit to get up and fight back and will just take one last kick in the back rather than fight for what is rightfully theirs!! All this in turn has a huge impact on the rest of the family and I'm sure that there are many many wives who have left their husbands in these scenario's whereas if the family as a whole had received proper support they may not have left. Therefore, the service and union should be held responsible for destruction of many officers mental health and breakdown of relationships.
So for the benefit of ALL you guys and your families grow some balls and fix this situation. As it might be you and your family being dragged down the PTSD/ depression lane next!!!!And trust me you won't have an once of energy left to fight with then.
A huge congratulations to those of you who are organising/ implementing ideas for change. Keep the momentum flowing.
Wife No.3
As for the comment that nothing will happen on the 15th well thats just typical of the negativity that goes on.If you dont want something to happen,it wont.The only way to get a good start is to put your resignation in.
Send it to Ettalong station,it will go in you have no worrys about that.They around 80 to go in on Thursday 15/11/07
If you have had No contact with your sub branch being No meetings since the 4% was given,then you must know that you delegates have know intention of makeing waves for you.
You all have 2 days to get them in to Ettalong station,they will go in.
The Brisbane Water Branch have had enough and they will take the fight to the end.
If you want action support your members through out the state.
if you dont do anythink then it will stay the same as it has been for the last 2.5 years.
Its up to you and you only.Dont listen to crap about not being seen as the good guys,
we bloody are already and have been for many years.The public are on our side I can assure you of that.
DENNIS.R.
* The 4% was a INTERM pay increase. It is the first time ever the IRC has put "a down payment" on a wage claim.
* The delegetes meeting has never been a secret and neither has its date. There is no conspiracy.
* Lifting the bans before was a huge mistake, granted, however it was a majority vote. If people could not read between the lines at the mass meeting, that HSU wanted the bans left on, then you are stupid.
* maybe all you vocal peolpe should have been at the mass meeting and expressed you opinion then.
* Support the union you have now, as I have no doubt your apathy will return with any other union.
* If you showed any interest in HSU before you would have realised that Michael Williamson interests in the labor party. It has never been a secret.
* If you dont like it dont vote for him. I am confident that most of you have never voted in HSU elections.
* Stop whinging and get involved.
* We are the union.
Norton Mcnorton,
that is crap.this union has had 2 years to get us more that 4%.this decission was forced onto the delegates because they only wanted to keep us quiet.
The union may not need to go but it sure needs to be put on notice.
Its time to stand up ,we want more money dont you understand or is it to bloody hard to work out.!!!
we want to be paid for all the bloody skills,we want to be protected and looked after when we go to work.Knowing that familys will be cared for if something happens to us..
How bloody simple is that,its not bloody rocket science !!!!!
Iam sick of being the bloody poor cousin,if you are... get your bloody resignations in and start bloody doing something.Instead of sitting on your hands and complaining..
Do something for yourselves for once instead of doing it all the time for the community...
If you dont like your President or Sec or Vice pres,then bloody have a vote of no confedence and get them out...
Its not that bloody hard to do or is it that bloody hard of a job either.
They may tell you it is ,well its bloody not,,,have ago...
Roadrunner "BEEP BEEP"
Roadrunner,
If you would remember it was the HSU that recommended that we shouldnt accept the extra skills without money. WE DID! and unfortunatley that is our Fault.
What chance do we have when all the so called winds of change wont even put their names to thier blogs.
Roadrunner, did you even vote in the last HSU election? Did anyone on this blog?
Fucking dickheads, thats what you are! SCABS! Scabs! SCABS! Scabs! SCABS! PUSY SCABS!
Norton McNorton
Well said old son, they ARE the union
To all you nice people out there, thanks for your vote of confidence and the kind words and private emails. BUT you DON'T need an old fart like me, there must be plenty out there that still have some backbone and who are prepared to stand up for what is right AND fair.
All i can say is that there are annual general meetings coming up (I think, it HAS been a while). If you are not getting the support from your current executive, well vote them out. Stand yourselves, get orgainsed and get it done.
ALL sub-Branches should be in constant contact with each other, swapping minutes and ideas, voting on the same issues and generally sticking together, as YOU ALL should be. THese is NO excuse.
I am happy to give some advice IF you think I can be of help, but actually running the union is for someone a bit fitter than I now am.
The Service is something you just don't EVER leave. Sure they can put you out to pasture, but the memories, the mates and the job stick with you forever.
I guess I do have a vested interest because I am now THE patient and I hope and pray that whoever of you guys and girls come to me will be just as good as the people I worked with used to be.
Hell you SHOULD be better.
Good Luck, I think you all are going to need it.
Rik Shepherd
You are a wimp Russel LEWIS.you say you do this for nothing well thats bullshit.All delegates that go to these delegates meetings get 150 dollars for their time.(cash)
So i think its time you bloody did something for us.
Oh and my "heart doesnt bleed for you either" like you went on at the mass meeting you slob!!
You are in this position because you were trusted to do something for your members.
you are getting paid for it.so are all the delegates that go to these meetings..and dont let them tell you ant different !!!!
Norton McNorton and Rik,
I know you guys mean well with all the HSU propaganda. Yes there will be some out there who will believe, however most won't.
Let me just take you through a few issues where HSU has failed to act on behalf of it's members.
1. Three consecutive appauling corporate culture surveys. HSU has done nothing!
2. P1 upgrade with no renumeration for officers. HSU has done nothing!
3. No opportunities for officers in the country to advance to Level 5. HSU has done nothing!
4. The Level 4/5 upgrade promised 7 years ago. HSU has done nothing!
5. Officers forced to work rosters where they respond single. HSU has done nothing!
6. Wages for a P1 that are not much better than a shop assistant on casual rates. HSU has done nothing!
7. The high suicide and attempted suicide rate amongst officers that is well exceeds the national average. HSU has done nothing!
The list goes on, HSU has failed to act for years and you HSU drones come onto this website and lecture mature intelligent people about being too negative, that they are the union etc.
I am not a person who resorts to vulgar language but please.....FUCK OFF.
dear anonymous,
i used to know russell lewis once, but i havent worked in that area for a long time.
he used to be a good bloke. but if he isnt any more get rid of him
as for you you useless gutless sack of shit
if you are gong to name him on this blog and acuse him of stuff at least have the balls to put your name to it
you make me sick you pathetic little turd
thank you spider for those kind words
I think this is the first time EVER I have been accused of being an HSU stooge.
I will only ask one question:
What have YOU done about it?
Rik Shepherd
Real Ambos
This site has been going now for 5 weeks.Although momentum is increasing only 264 officers have voted on the "Should we leave HSU poll".Also blogs often refer to not enough Ambos knowing about this site. Question: Does this site truly reflect the opions of the majority or a pissed off minority? Who knows?
I would like to suggest a mail-out to every station in the state,directing officers to this site and encouraging them to, at the very least,lodge their vote.
To my way of thinking one of three things will happen.
1.After several days not much will change.(if officers aren't motivated enough to simply log on and vote there's not much hope for any other action.)
2.The majority will vote to stay with HSU (God I hope not.)
3.this site will become VERY busy,the momentum and pressure will increase exponentially and we will have a clear mandate for change.
So, there you go,what do you think?
p.s so nobody accuses me of wanting everyone else to do the work,I would happily co-ordinate the mail-out for Illawarra and Southern Divisions.(my backyard after all).
p.p.s According to the NSW Gov website there are 267 Ambulance Stations,therefore if several officers pitched in,this is not a huge task.
p.p.p.s If you're worried about the cost,you'll be up for the equivalent of two or three weeks membership to HSU.
Spider,
All those issues you have raised.
What have you done? Nothing
You are the wosrt type of member of any organisation, always willing to throw critisism, but never to do anything yourself.
Point,
delegates do not get paid to attend meetings. THAT IS A FACT!!!!!!!!!!!
i am new to this blog, i read with interest the comments made by offices past and current. Rik Shepherd please find my email address coffeeat9am@yahoo.com.au
i am happy to cover the cost, compose a draft letter and do a mailout to all stations. your input would be appreciated.
who represents these people who quit the union before they organise another union? Most of the members are too lazy to take action anyway and just let the radicals take the brunt then complain when nothings been done! If you want to take action we all have to do it unified not just a few. If we took strike action it wouldnt last 15 min before management caved in.
Spider,
Your comments are sensationalist and lack substance. Anyone can write what should happen actually putting your hand up and doing is another.
Rik and Norton have put forward well rounded statements, even if you dont agree with them.
and your response is to tell them to fuck off.
That says something about your character, when it get hard the spider goes back to his web.
Could one person from each region compile a list of stations in their region into a excel file spreadsheet ready for a mail merge and email it to coffeeat9am@yahoo.com.au so all stations can be informed of this blog. Thank you
Ps. Please let me know that someone will do the job by posting eg (CDA done)
Spider,
Mature intelligent people dont tell people to "fuck off".
Rik and Norton and Peter,
I raised several issues where we all know HSU has failed to act.
Instead of defending HSU with a solid constructive argument, which I thought this forum was all about, you say "well what have you done about it". Sounds like my 11 year old when he doesn't get his way.
As for being sensationalistic all those issues I raised are fact. You need to defend your position, present and argument, then you may begin to get some credibilty in this forum.
At first it may be but as a spiders web, easily broken through, but soon it binds us in chains of steel.
ok troops,
Here is an alternative.
You guys all resign from HSU.
You form a co-operative and all join.
You contract your labour to NSW Health (they DO LOVE to outsource) for say 350m per year.
Your co-op pays for all training and provides a guaranteed staff level for each station per written contract/agreement with health.
ASNSW management becomes redundant.
Each station ELECTS it's station officer and each Division (not the current ones) elects it's D/O's and Supers.
I, (ME) will oversee ALL disciplinary matters.ANd we will handle all complaints etc.
We hire Bob Wright, Michael O'Rourke and Malcolm Fisher to oversee ALL our training.
We do all recruiting, promotions and trining selections inhouse based on merit, seniority and skill level.
You all get paid projected roster and a 15% pay rise across the board.
It can be done guys, but ONLY if you want it to happen. It is NOT pie in the sky, it would work.
Rik Shepherd
Norton,
iam a delegate and i do get 150.00 every time I go to a delegates meeting....FACT,,iam not ashamed of saying it either,my members know how much time i put in to do this.
so all i can say is if your delegates are not doing their job in representing you at the delegates meeting then they are getting money for nothing...
i know i tell my members everything thats why they know when the meeting is on .
thats why they are willing to stand and fight the fight against Williamson.
they want to be paid extra for their svcs,dont you or are you just getting so much more than everyone else.
you may not want to support sub branches that are ready to stand.
some of you will never be united,because you enjoy whinging far too much !!!!
getting this blogg out to stations that SOs are more for management and not rank and file stinks.
I thought we lived in a demercratic society!!!
I guess not !!!!
Rik Shepherd,
I think you should have just stuck with just the one tab of acid.
dont forget boys and girls get your resignations in.....only less than 3 days to go.
show some unity.atleast we could all be doing the same thing,,,,resighning!!!!thats unity.
send the Ettalong Staion if you have tooooooooooooooo
DENNIS.R.
Rik I think you are just great and you have a spine,,,can you take a photo of your spine for us and send it to Peter Rumble and Russel Lewis..I think they dont know what one looks like.!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh while your there you proberly need to send one to M.Williamson,as well,,,oh and Ms Reba and Morrie OH,,, god, theres to many to list.
just everyone
thanks
Roadrunner.."BEEP BEEP"
Anonymous,
who do you get the $150 off, and who do i speak to, as I have been attending delegate meetings for years and havent been told of this before.
Do not believe what Dennis R. is telling you people. This idea of handing in your resignations to a delegate by the 15th November.
Do you really think it would be processed if you handed it in.
YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO HAND IN OUR RESIGNATIONS TO GET YOUR UNION TO ACT
Don't let them take you for a fool, they have been doing this sort of thing for too long as it is.
Do what I did resign over the phone:
HSU Sydney Office
Tel: (02) 9229 4944
Fax: (02) 9223 3100
Freecall: 1800 631 505
Hello Dennis
SPIDER,
DO YOU WORK?
IT WOULD APPEAR YOU DONT?
SPIDER, Technically your resignation has to be in writting with your signature on it. I am not saying you didn't resign over the phone. I think that mass resignations will get the HSU's back up and they will play it by the book to a T. That is why we are not given them ANY reason not to accept our Resignations.
Guarantee if you send them to Ettalong they will get through.
Our delegates are NOT puppets. Their loyalty is to the members only.They will have their own resignations to hand in along with ours. And if we ever do get another Union, they will represent us again.
Spider i have been told by another ambo who you are. I have been told about you and I have heard about your reputation before. You confirm what I thought of you with your comments.
"I dont usually use volger language, however....fuck off"
Who is the SPIDER?, I use Vulgar language all the time, so don't Fucking tease me, Tell me who the SPIDER is?
coffee: re your blog at 5:11pm I assume you intend to mail the information to every station,however,there needs to an individual letter addressed to each officer at that station.(marked private and confidential)to ensure all officers are made aware of this site.An A4 could be mailed to the station with the individual letters inside.If this is what you are talking about I am more than happy to cover Illawarra and Southern Divisions as I stated at 2:35 today.
yes i will send individual letters
to all, could you include emails if possable.thanks for your support
Hi all,
I handed in my resignation today. I no longer want to be a part of a Union that does nothing for me. I went to the extra-ordinary sub-branch meeting and was amazed at how backstabbing and complaining the members were. Very little constructive talk happened. i don't want to represented by people like that.
I resigned by calling the toll free num to HSU.
1800 631 505
Have your member number ready and ask for "Records".
They cancelled my fee straight away. They said I needed to still send in a copy in writing. Fax is easiest on this number.
92233100
Nothing fancy and needs a reason for withdrawal.
To: Records
Re: Resignation
From:
I wish to resign my membership to the Health Services Union effective this day the 12th November 2007.
I resign for (insert whatever you like) personal reasons.
Here is another reason HSU will probably do nothing for us.
My wife is a physio and is also a member in HSU. Physio in public health has had a work value claim now for the last five years. It is still unresolved. Physio's are the most professionally recognised of all public health. Even more than Nurses. A physio can declare a patient unfit for discharge and a doctor cannlt legally discharge that patient. When I was working in a servo before joining the job my rate of pay was higher than the wife's.
If physio's who have four years of university and a very high proffesional standing cannot get HSU to move I think we have a poor outcome coming next year. That's why physio's are leaving in droves.
Pat,
I am in the southern division, dont bother sending one to me. SCAB!
Anonymous,
Re: Spider i have been told by another ambo who you are. I have been told about you and I have heard about your reputation before.
Well there you go, union thugs have finally spoken in this forum. Yes they are trying to intimidate me. They have finally showed their form.
This is why so many good ambos are sick of HSU. This is an example of what we are trying to change.
Spider,
A person who you think is your friend told me all about you and this blog.
He told me how you make up names and write positive responses to your own blogs.
I am not a union thug, however i know you are a lying dickhead.
Anon at 7:20, It's a bit hard to not send you one, when I don't know who you are. But if you don't want to respond, throw it in the bin.
Well done spider, you really have opened my eyes up into what this organisation is all about, reading this blog is making me very furious as to what our union and management are capeable of. I commened you for expressing the issues that are at hand.
Loudfoot if that really is you i dont know how you sleep at night.You should be ashamed of yourself ,your a disgrace!
Anonymous,
Re: I am not a union thug, however i know you are a lying dickhead.
Well gee wiz Anonymous, you really got me with the dickhead comment, that must have taken you a while to think that one up.
You say I make up names and write positive responses to my own blogs.
A small number of people may believe you, the majority won't.
Make an argument, defend your position that's what this forum is all about.
am new to this blog, i read with interest the comments made by offices past and current. Rik Shepherd please find my email address coffeeat9am@yahoo.com.au
i am happy to cover the cost, compose a draft letter and do a mailout to all stations. your input would be appreciated.
Could one person from each region compile a list of stations in their region into a excel file spreadsheet ready for a mail merge and email it to coffeeat9am@yahoo.com.au so all stations can be informed of this blog. Thank you
Ps. Please let me know that someone will do the job by posting eg (CDA done)
yes i will send individual letters
to all, could you include emails if possable.thanks for your support
Spider,
On cue you respond to defend your reputation.
Which you have gained by responding to your own blogs. I did notice you did not outright deny it.
I said your are a dickhead because you are one. No I didnt have to think about that.
Unlike the thought you put into responding to your own blogs!
Dickhead.
ok spider, gloves off,
My last president's job was in brisbane waters, which I held for almost 10 years, I quit in disgust when SOME frogs (who are now transferred and/or promoted in a deal with management)would not support 2 frogs to a car.
That was in 1995.
Prior to that, Area 1&5 for 4 years as prez.
Why?
Because I wanted to get what the firies had, and so did EVERYONE else, a 4x4 roster.
First I had to get elected as prez. Then I had to "convince" my sub-Branch that the 4x4 was a good idea.
Then I had to convince ALL of CDA, EVERY sub-Branch. Some actually said "what am I going to do with all this time off?"
Go figure.
Then I had to convince HREA (HSU for you newbies)
Then I had to convince The State Super.
They I had to convince the brothers in CDA management.
Then it took another year to get the facts to support our case(workload, staff, etc), which Gordon Shorthouse (ex Naremburn)and some very good guys from St Ives helped with, it only took that long because CDA were slow with the data.
All in all it took 3 YEARS of MY life to get it in place.
I left BWA in 1996 becasue the back went and the darling super said I coudn't work in Co-Ord because it was closing.
So I went bush to a western Co-Ord. They guy I replaced went straight to BWA Co-Ord, to my old job (HE wasn't a HREA threat to management now was he).
I had to SIGN an agreement with the Divisional Super that I WOULD NOT complain about single officer response, travel time, rosters or (basically) anything else that I had achieved in CDA/BWA BEFORE I could even start the job.
As soon as I arrived, I was inundated with requests to stand for sub-Branch president.
The "secret" ballot involved everyone on outlying stations FAXING their vote to the station where the sitting executive worked, and of course, dutifully and honestly recorded the results.
The local sub-Branch was run by an ex-storeman that was then made an ambo.
He was the ONLY person in history to have completed the Paramedic Course while on "annual leave" (including hospital time).
You ask about Level 5 in the bush?
What ex-storeman cum sub-Branch president cum Grade 2 S/O happened to be on a "designated station" for the "Rural Paramedic Trial"
What ambo who was teh Divisional Super's nephew suddenly appeared at Dubbo JUST before the "Trial"
A "trial" APPROVED by HSU that ONLY included Officers who were ALREADY working at those "designated" stations.
Some of those FAILED the selection tests.
They sat again.
They failed.
They sat again.
The pass mark was lowered.
They passed.
That my friend is the kind of shit that I fought against, and here it was, alive and well in the bush.
You wonder why they don't have 2 to a car?
Gee, I wonder too.
I was medically retired in 2001.
So, old son, I have NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO ANYTHING with or for the troopies since 1996.
PS I also stood AGAINST Williamson in HREA elections, but the cleaners always carry the vote.
Rik Shepherd
Punchy says " Dont collapse on my shift!"
Can we please get more dissention between Para's and GD's.
HSU would like you to join the fight for more Mop buckets at Bourke Hosp NOW!
Son of Keithy,
Sounds like you have some very good people working hard for you at Ettalong.
Good luck to you. I hope it works out the way you want it to.
ohhhh spider
you are so coooool
fancy all those naughty boy thugs in the union out to get you
do you feel afraid?
why should you noone gives a shit about what you think you are irrelevant
like "rik" says
what have YOU done except moan and groan
does greg like it when you do that?
Anonymous
Re: On cue you respond to defend your reputation.
Oh dear not the dickhead comment again. We could banter on like this forever. You calling me a dickhead me writing back making you get even angrier.
As I said before make an argument, defend your position that's what this forum is all about.
ambogirl,
What a classy bit of gear you sound like.
We had a term in the Airforce for ladies like you "Groundsheet".
As I said before make a statement present an argument, thats what this forum is all about.
SPIDER
what position are you defending?
doggie?
Rik Shepherd,
You sound like you have been through the ringer a couple of times.
I get very annoyed when people start crapping on about HSU, using all that union spin, saying we need to stick together for the cause.
HSU is a political monster that has run it's race with good ambos out there. They have had more than enough time to fix all of the problems we have.
It was interesting that you mentioned "the brothers" and the control they once had over our service.
As you might remember once upon a time you didn't have to apply for a Paramedic course you just got "the nod" from the brothers.
Thats why I think Greg Rochford is a good man, he has stuck with us. He has done allot to bring back some honor and integrity into our service by getting ride of the brothers. Some hate him, some people hate him because other do. Some people hate because he is a manager. I'll make up my own mind.
Anyway we need to find another union that will look out for it's members. How we do that I'm not sure. Maybe this forum is a start.
Labour Voter (not)
Re: SPIDER what position are you defending? doggie?
Labour Voter (not), we have spoken before. I know you can do better than that.
spider writes responses to his own blogs.
The vast majority of the bloggs left today are really very dissapointing & unprofesional.
Name calling, filth, vulgarity, insinuations, abuse, foul language isn't at all impressive.
Whether you agree or disagree, do it with intelligence and constructive criticsm.
Can't you see that bloggs like that are just how management behave? That's what the ASNSW wants to portray, a few militant ambos just aguing over HSU.
Come on... you, are all far more intelligent than that, even the ones who have caused us grief.
Do you want to change this dreadful job or just argue? There's been too much of this wasted time, too many hurt, too many suffering, too much abuse - just too much for one person.
I truly believe that the vast majority of all of you want change. This blog is not about the HSU, it's about your career and your conditions.
HSU isn't representing you in a non biased way. It's a bit like having Kevin Rudd as the Leader of the Liberal Party!!!
There has been little said today other than trade insults. It's like the recent Iraq SAS death. On one day the grief of a nation, the next the political warfare of who to blame. What about caring & honour, what about the widow and what lessons are learnt to avoid the mistakes?
I know that the 3 women who have had the guts to bare their soul have not spared any punches. We have all given you the intimate details of our suffering and tragedy. You mightn't know our names, you know far more our stories.
It appears that some of the most abusive and tasteless comments have been posted by those who it appears do not believe the horror stories and find foul rebuttal more important.
To eloquently remind these rude individuals, change can only be brought about by having solutions. If you think the tone of today's postings are solutions then perhaps it might be beneficial to read some of the PTSD sites. Are you game? If you don't like what you read, then perhaps it's time to visit GIO & HSU and see how much they can help you through your troubles.
The only thought that we can cling to is that the colleagues and managers who treated our family with such contempt were sick themselves. You couldn't do what you have done and be human.
I don't envy you I pity you!! You probably need to hang your heads in shame, particularly the individuals who "just had to let GIO know things off the record of course" (and YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, DON'T YOU!!!). If anything I consider my husband fortunate - he didn't leave in a box.
The wife
And yes I do work like most of the other interested people on this site but have a passion to see that no one EVER has to go through the ordeal we have been through - no words can describe it.
Hi All,
I'll be going to uni next year to start study to do what I have always wanted to do, that is to become an AO.
I'm 23 and male.
I was aware of some of the issues facing frontline ambo's and paramedics, but this blog has highlighted some issues I didn't even know existed.
It absolutely disgusts me when I read about the way things are and have been for so long. I find it absolutely unacceptable that professionals in such an important and highly specialised field are treated with such direspect, disregard and such indifference from those that are supposed to be supporting them.
However, this does not change my goal. As I imagine so many current ambo's would feel that although it can be so obviously hard, they would not leave as they know how important they truly are to society.
As I read through the blog, there seems to be a cycle... "what do we do" "ok let's do that" "what do we do" ok let's do that"...
There are some very promising comments, that are usually forgotten about moments later because of personal attacks or whatever.
It's ashame.
Yes HSU is not going to give you the full support you need, that's obvious.
Yes as a general rule, Ambulance management is promoting unsafe practices through inappropriate policy and non-action on issues such as harrassment.
All those currently employed by ASNSW, family, friends, student and those interested know this, but if you ask a random person on the street, chances are they have no idea.
The problem with that is if the general public was aware, they would be outraged and would become such an important advocate for this cause.
Please, don't attack each other, don't make unproductive comments. It will only make it harder to create change.
If you truly stick together and make your demands known to the public, they will support you. Be a united front, a truly united front, put work bans in place and don't lift them regardless of what HSU, ASNSW or NSWIRC says.
Organise a rally on Macquarie Street, creat a rolling blockade, hand out information sheets during peak hour at Sydney train stations... anything.
Please, for all of those that have given so much to the service in the past, currently and in the future, just do it.
Ash
On the 15th I intend to perform a symbolic and cleansing ritual with my close friend Spider. Both Spider and I invite you all who are intending to resign to join us.
We both feel that that you all need to participate in this special time as it shall unite us as one and the empathy shall run deep as what it would if we all became blood brothers and sisters.
Your commitment is crucial, if not pivotal to our cause to create a new cult clebrating our freedom from the oppressive union that has held us back from expressing our individualism no matter how pathetic it may be.
At a time to be set by Spider (as he can tell the time, it is amazing what they can do with the intellectually impaired these days you know), we shall all visit this blogsite where an effigy of our daity real ambo shall appear for only us true believers as we go cross-eyed, sign our resignations in our blood whilst proudly naked.
Then the important and absolute commitment of yourself to the cause is to gleefully force feed yourself a packet of laxettes followed quickly by a good half kilogram of juicy pruins.
This ritual that both I roadrunner..beep beep! and Spider religiously perform regularly shall purge all of the bad from you and all of us shall form a bond far stronger than any bond forged before.
Hell, even stronger than that of the 'Bra-boys'!
Join us on the 15th for some real soul cleansing brothers and sisters as we all become one.
Hi Spider
I certainly belive that you have made some great contributions and support.
The only thing I'm afraid I would have to disagree with is Mr Rochford.
As a CEO, he has signed off on many policies with no intention of ever acting on them. He has made some very very poor decisions and condoned some dreadful managerial & staff behaviour. He did have opportunities but chose to run the other way.
The wife
Oh PLease Ash
I have a son of 25. He has lived through 24 years of the ASNSW. I wouldn't want him in the ASNSW for all the money in the world.
You are right, the general public should know and would be outraged. The few we have told are totally disgusted and put their thoughts in writing to Mr Rochford. Amazingly 2 copies have gone astray!!???
I can speak for me and probably most of the genuine officers, you do join with spirit & intent to save the world.
Sad part is the ASNSW takes that spirit, replaces it with fear,and instead of saving the world you spend your remaining life saving yourself.
I know the job has to be done - but it is too dangerous to take a risk with your own life.
Think carefully.
The wife & mum
Sorry everyone, I just realised that in my last blog when I got quite taken away with the blissful glory we all have planned on the 15th, I foolishly mis-spelt prunes as 'pruins'. Sorry team, my fault.
Still, this does detract from the euphoria and synergy that we shall all experience in our life-changing ritual on this chosen 15th. The prophets have long spoken and advocated of this amongst the many comments posted on this holy site.
Be sure to be thinking of your loyal brothers and sisters, real ambo and spare a thought for Spider and of course me road runner whilst you perform the chosen ritual.
Especially as you feel the overwhelming need to defacate and cleanse your worthless and weak souls so you can be reborn you heathens.
road runner..beep beep!
Oh yes Ash, 'wife and mum' is so right, why help others. Please go and drown face first in a puddle of your own vomit.
That would be a far more worthy thing to do with your life, preferably this week on the 15th if you now are not willing to partake in the special ritual that roadrunner and I are leading.
Best wishes
Spider
roadrunner..beep beep!,
And I was really starting to like the shape of your jib and you had to go and spoil it by using my name on that last comment.
Anyway too tired now, nighty night
Don't forget troops. Craig Thomson Federal member for Dobel on the Central Coast Natiional Secretary of the HSU, Michael Williamson head of HSU Nsw is right in there with him! No good media campaign for us poor ambo's unlike the nurses and teachers. Big conflict of interest gang. Don't forget that when you vote this month. All members, do the right thing and tell your sub-branch official, you've had enough of the waiting. Time to stand together and fight for what we should have. A professional wage. Better working conditions and a finalised D and D!
Wife & Mum,
I can appreciate your perspective if you have had to deal with some of the things mentioned and I understand why your first reaction would be to deter people away from joining Ambulance.
However, different people cope with different situations in very different ways.
With the volunteer work I do, I have had the opportunity to work very closely with ambo's and have myself seen some pretty awful things. However what might affect some people might not affect others.
I think (and not just because I want too) that any person, especially in present time, that wants to be an ambulance officer should be commended, encouraged and supported.
I'm going to assume your comment about risking my life is meant in a mental health kind of way- again, I understand why you would say that and in some ways agree, but I think knowing what I know, I would be silly not to look after myself. Doing all the things that help you deal, staying healthy physically and mentally, as its' obvious the only support will come from fellow ambo's.
Some people are supposed to help people. So again, it isn't something I'm considering, my mind is made up.
Ash
Ash
I'd like to say that some of your perceptions are misconceptions!
I was actually referring to mind body & soul that it as risk.
You are far too young & inexperienced which is evident from the "it won't happen to me" syndrome.
Volunteering whether it be VRA, RFS, St John or SES is not a reflection of what you will do & experience in the ASNSW.
Those other ambo's, wives & mothers out there would verify this.
You are correct, what does affect one person does not another, BUT, and its a big BUT, you don't get to choose. The hand of PTSD and Depression can touch any one and at any time.
You actually missed the point of the message.
When my husband was sacked, yes sacked Ash after 20 years of diligent service, and there are some out there who know exactly what I mean because he had the audacity to get sick, from one day literally to the next (yes that's how quick)the same spirit you exhibit was crushed.
Indeed he suffered an unbelievable grief at the loss of his career, it was who he was. He was an ambo before anything else. He still grieves 4 years on, is ashamed that he succumbed. No one could have been a better more professional ambo, he was loved by his patients and respected by his community, including the volunteer groups as mentioned.
He only ever joined to care for people, he had a thirst for knowledge (some of the skills you will learn you can attribute to his career & yearning for better patient care) and a desire to be the best he could.
He is not alone - there are hundreds out there like him and our family. Some sadly have taken their own lives to escape the pain. It is not discriminatory!
In fact we had our own private "retirement" dinner with our family. We wanted to mark the auspicious passing of a proud career - the ASNSW didn't. There's was with a "your sacked letter".
At that dinner our children and I had a plaque engraved and all his regalia framed & mounted. Included were his first epilettes, his first pocket clips, his first hat badge, his ALS Badge, his National Medal and some beautiful photos. Ones with kids, ones with people he loved & cared for, people he saved.
But importantly the plaque reads
"Our Love and Pride in you is immeasurable"
You see you really did miss the point. I nor any ambo, wife or mother isn't proud, encouraging &supportive, but we want to warn you that your path is frought with real danger. Remember the basic guideline for first aid is to ensure your own wellbeing!
Trust me I know. I still care, i just don't care for the behaviour of the ASNSW.
Perhaps you should ask some ambo's of other experiences. A close colleague in QLD gave Narcan to a Drug addict a couple of weeks ago. When he came to he came at him swinging punches and a live syringe. It took him 20 minutes to wressle and hold him told, covered in blood until the police came. It was claimed he provided excessive force because he had to hit him in the chin to protect himself. AS it turns out the needle was tested as positive to HIV & Hep C and now my colleague hasa death sentence hanging over his head.
By all means if you choose follow your heart, but use your head and don't go in blinded by the excitement & glory. That quickly fades. So you take care.
The same wife & mum
the most trusted profession,albeit poorly paid.
lets stick it to the labour party in this election.
we kept quiet before and during the state election and look what the bastards did to us.look up FRAUD in the dictionary and you'll probably find an apt description of the hsu and state labour party. while you've got the dictionary look up Gullible.. you'll probably see a photo of us ambos.
To the same wife and Mum
How is John these days?
Best regards
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