Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The most trusted profession and the most ripped off!
There has been some talk about changing unions, can that be done? Can anyone shed some light on that? I think it's time we were in a union that represents emergency service people not cleaners, radiographers and such like. I can't believe my sub branch voted to accept that bullshit 4%. I didn't want that and i'm sure the majority of us didn't, how can they do that shit? Can we get together and tell our sub-branch to get that cancelled? I believe we should be taking strong industrial action now and not waiting. Nurses, Cops,got their pay rises what wrong with us? How about the media campaign for the nurses! TV ads all the time. On the radio, now look at our piss-weak unions efforts, Stickers and other crap! I'm sick of being the nice guy and copping it sweet. Lets get together fellow ambo's and get what we deserve. The most trusted profession and the most ripped off! We deserve to be paid a professional wage. Don't sell yourselves short. Time to get tough and be a solid strong unit!
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21 comments:
It's about time someone contacted the media and had a good chat about what is really going on with the Ambulance Service with no bullshit. Apart from poor pay and condtions no scheme to cover officers when injured ,doing their job, protectiong the public and in some area's a horendous workload. My mate works on the Central Coast and i know they do the workload of Sydney, with half the number of staff. No wonder the moral up there and the fatigue and sick leave is sky high! The norm up there on a dayshift of 10 hrs is to work the 10 hr shift then do forced overtime and normally not even have a meal break in what turns out to be 10 to 14 hr day. Not good for the health boys! Bye for now. Heads up guys. We can still be proud, We do great work.
Everybodyshould know this. Did yuo know that the HSU held a committee meeting and took the "Early Retirement" claim out of the current Award Claim. Did you know that the same committee took out the claim for "Full Pay Whlist On Leave ( workers comp, sick leave, long service leave etc). This was done because the HSU Officials said that the State Government is broke ans so they would try to get us a bigger pay rise and not worry about the increase in Award Conditions. I think the HSU can get stuffed and not make decisions about OUR PAY AND AWARDS without first asking us. Besides, we had already told them what we wanted hadn't we, they have eara, don't they listen to their members. Is it because our HSU General Secretary is the Vise President of the NSW lABOR PARTY THAT WE ARE HAVING SO MUCH TROOBLE? They can kiss my butt, lets start some action soon and no gutless pulling back, even if some of our officials are threatened with Jail, we would probably be better off if they were in there anyway! Angry Ambo.
Did you know that the Death and Disability is still not signed off and the HSU still plans further meetings in the weeks to come with First State Super to try to sort out Insurance problems. What the F--K is wrong with these guys, didn't they listen to what was said at the Mass Meeting or listen to what was said in the minutes of sub-branch meetings. Too much work and not enough staff, no management empathy or assistance, shortages of equipment and stores, and on a sad note two of our brothers in the Hunter have commited suicide lately. Enough is Enough. The police in the Hunter today held a mass meeting and have given the Govt 28 days to fix cronic overwork and lack of staff. What does the HSU do, puts off our Pay Claim for nine months and the other AWARD Conditions until the next ICE AGE, which is I guess some time when Global Warming has run its course. Strike Now?
I agree 100% with this site. I'm in the remote area of the state and do on call which is fine, but more and more we are being left short staffed to cover relief at other stations and consequently off duty staff are being asked to back up single officers or attend jobs one out. Quite often the duty crew go out of town on transfer cases and off duty staff cover the town for a minimum of 4 hours for absolutely no reward unless a job comes in. True we could say no and on occassions do but in a small community we are known to one and all, so it's hard to leave people in the lurch when you know the nearest back up is an hour and a half away. Personally I'd like to see an increase in our allowances like on call. Even consider a rural and metro award so the rural guys aren't out voted on things they may effect us and not the city guys. I resigned from he union when they wated more money to create a "fighting fund" against the IR laws. When the "fight" is done are they going to reduce the contributions? Of course not, they did nothing to earn the money they got so far why would they start now.Our families suffer cos we aren't able to do things or go places due to being asked to cover. Keep the comments and the support coming for this site.
Firstly, I am a financial member of the HSU, signed up week one at Rozelle. I would normally stick my head in the sand when it comes to the union, pay my dues and expect nothing as i have NEVER had any faith in the workings of the trade union system.
As we all know they are in bed with the labor party and the labor party are no longer interested in the LABOUR FORCE. They (ALP) just want to promise, promise and again promise until they are elected so that THEIR superannuation is well and truely secured.
With the current excitement of the forthcoming election in the air, find an ALP candidate and ask him/her what they plan to do about the Health system and more importantly the Health system employees, but stand clear when you do as the lies and bullshit flies from their mouth thick and fast will intoxicate you, or they might just turn red and say "I will definetly look into that, as you guys are important to me, personally,,,, you do a great job" either way more lies and promises and no action.
I say "LETS DROP THE HSU"
Several years ago, the story goes, that the Fire fighters union offered Us (Ambo's) and the Cops a chance to join forces and become a combined union, a combined voice.
The offer was declined, WHY???
The story also goes, that the Illawarra Ambo's were extremely vocal against this amalgamation, WHY???
Was it the members making the threats and bad mouthing the Fireies or was it that we were so complacent that OUR UNION waged a very successful counter attack and turned the Fire Union well and truely against Us?????????
Either way , there has been a large amount of water under the bridge, a majority of the old guard, the dinosaurs have gone, and the new guys (US) are a lot smarter now.
I put forward that along with investigating the AEA, lets reapproach the fire fighters union and see what they can do, lets see what we can do for them, we all work the same shifts, the same jobs, the same towns LETS WORK TOGETHER.
I say lets "GOOD BYE HSU"
Lodge your replys NOW, dont sit on your hands, DONT leave it up to the HSU.
Dear Ambos, thankyou for all your thankless work. Our family appreciate and respect you and would fully support the changes you are asking for, it's hard to keep fighting but it's a cause worth fighting for.
Grateful family.
M Williamson = H White Mk2
guys/gals if you click the link on the right side of the page "enough is enough" (Blog Archive) this is the main posting area 170 comments
Hi All,
A meeting took place at Terrigal Station with 42 (hostile) members in attendence very quickly outcomes were as follows:
1.The Sub Branch requested that and URGENT State Delegates Meeting was to be held to review the wage claim with a view of finalising the claim (money component). That the Executive enquire also into why the : 25 years retirement and the payment of projected roster (on all forms of leave) had been ommited.
4.The Sub Branch felt that the CEO should be stood down as what appears to be standard procedure with all other staff until the investigation into the service is complete.
2. That there be a State wide video link up to allow ALL members the right to their opinion,the abilty that during this link up that a stop work meeting should occur.
3.Members were offered resignation forms and were advised that under HSU guidelines they had to give 13 weeks notice. This would be enough time for the HSU to expidite the claim.
Jim Stirling
SEC
Brisbane Water
100% correct. Not to mention no pay for our upgraded skill level and added responsibility
My brother-in-law is a firey in Mt Isa. All the fireys have done basic first aid only in their primary training. They are being sent to heart attacks due to overworked ambos getting their arses run off and unable to attend serious, life-threatening incidents. In Qld all households and businesses pay about $60 a year levy on their electricity bills to pay for the ambos. My point is that with every electricity consumer in Qld paying for the ambos and they still are so neglected by the labor government in Qld it is a clear sign that they don't see ambos as a threat and don't give a shit about them. It seems to be an Australia wide problems (perhaps). Boys and girls, it's time to stick it to them and the first method of attack is to get rid of your piss-weak union so that someone will listen to you.
OOOOh StevOOOO
I sense a little aggression, thats not like you.
Or Perhaps it's not you at all. The spelling and the nastiness make me think you might like leggo.!!!
What I would like to know is how can the so called union delegates have made such a huge decision on the Ambulance Service Employees behalf without putting these issues to a vote, that is its members? The members who continue to contribute their fees for such representation.
When the NSW Teachers strike, these issues are brought forward to all of its members for a collective vote. Where is the Officer's vote regarding a collective agreement on this pay rise? If anyone knows please speak up! I believe we need to increase our views by ongoing action. Make it known that we are NOT happy with this decision. This simply is not acceptable.
The Government and powers that be have collectively won in this particular case. Interim pay rise? How long for? Does this mean these wages remain for the next few years without any further compromise?
Why be in a union if its members do not get the final say? I am sure if you ask around, not many were happy with this wage outcome. Many believe the Union is to soft and are there to appease the Government versus stand for the Officer's views.
We need to be strong I agree, strong as one unit who collectively stand together and fight for our conditions. We should abandon the current set-up and develop our own where its members, members who contribute their salary are the ones who get the final say, not our so called representatives who, by their current performance are not representing the ones that count! That is the ambo's making the difference out there!
With all these comments about HSU involvement with riipping us off and not being directed by us on the important issues of wage increases, death and disability and taking away our submissions of the "Early Retirement" claim out of the current Award Claim and "Full Pay While On Leave ( workers comp, sick leave, long service leave etc)., why are we still paying union fees each fortnight/weekly to them? Why don't we collectively (all 3,000 of us )just for the excercise to make a point, suspend our union fees for a period of a month or two to let them know we have the power to reduce their wages and income and see what it is like to lose income??.
We would still be covered by our outdated award benefits and give them notice that if they want our money to represent us then they take direction from us and not the reverse by using their political agendas to keep us as mushrooms all the time dictating what we should be entitled to or not.
I'm sick of selective decisions made by our union and also our delegates as to who should be entitled to what when our members are shouting to them to support motions that are carried at our Sub Branch meetings and not have them watered down, pushed to one side in the nether nether or rejected as being politically sensitive to our current government
For an example.....We have ambulance officers, and I reinforce the title ambulance officers as per the award working in operations centres as dispatchers who have been rejected from the recent pay rise negotion because they "got 8% rise" a few years ago. What a load of bullshit!!
All you eggheads in the field (which unfortunately includes me) must be very jealous of those blokes/sheilas in the Co-Ord who struggle each day to uitlise a failed technology and radio system, who are spied on and watched by everyone inside and outside the service (top up and top down) evey minute of the day in every aspect of their core business for those same people to put IIMS and grievance reports on them because of their limited individual knowledge of events that they become involved in. Thes ambo's, are working under very strict KPI's daily and are interrogated when they fail to struggle and meet those standards(eg must put a cas case onto a car within 2 minutes, must ensure ambo's are responding within 3 minutes, must contact the cars when they are at hospital greater than 30 minutes and find out why they have'nt cleared yet, must premept every scenario and decision that every ambo makes or does'nt make when they are on a case, must be responsible for every case that is generated within their area etc etc).
Those poor bastards not only have to look after their own backs but also have to look after the lazy and smart arse bastards in the field who look for every opportunity to relay cockhead statements over the radio to eveyone who would listen about their own self deluded "decision making skills" on the relevant case they are on and how they think it should be organised or they try and pull swifties to enhance their "pockets" (and I wont go into detail about that because I'm a roadie too)
When these same self appointed gurus of "knowledge and experience" who think they can do better than the dispatcher and are asked to come and work in the Co-Ord to "show us how it is done" say "No way you're not getting me in that shithole, you can stick it!!!" I could carry on but what's the point? I believe those buggers in the Co-Ord deserve every dollar that they get and that's what the 8% was for, for the skills and responsibilities that are required to work in an IT technology environment NOT for being an ambulance officer. So when their fellow ambulance officers got the 4% rise FOR BEING AMBULANCE OFFICERS these poor bastards were not only left out in the cold by the fucked up management of ASNSW but also by the fucked up jealousies of HSU and its delegates. They now want to tell all the ambulance officers who work in the Co Ord centres that they are now not an ambulance officer who are part of the Ambulance Officer's Award even though they pay for being in it!!.
Well Done all you Ambo pissants ( and that includes me unfortunatley because I had to abide by the delegates and HSU to this decision that was incidently made by ASNSW and readily agreed upon by us) for making that decision to not give your fellow ambo's a pay rise who are legally qualified under the award the same benefit as you. You have effectively in one fell swoop denied monetary entitlements to those officers. If any of you braindeads want the 8% then work in there, but don't deny them the same entitlements as you when they are fellow ambulance officers. SHAME SHAME ON YOU ALL (and that includes me)
To the idiots who raised the issue of Rik's wife being a Super. She is a super, one of the best I've had the privilege to work for in 21 years in the circus. She cared for her staff in more ways than I have time to explain here and stood up for the staff against the clowns in Division and Rozelle, and for her trouble got shafted out of her job to be replaced by a puppet. Funny how these things happen if you are more qualified than the idiot selecting the position. Guess HER face just didn't fit. To bad, we may have just had a chance with a manager like her.
I agree with the latest offerrings about supporting each other, does a tragedy have to occur before we stand up and ask for help or should it be a managers job to notice when somethings not right and point an officer in the right direction. Welfare of our brothers is something that the ASNSW has done poorly for years,not just the mental aspect but keeping the body in one piece as well. I noticed Rik a few letters back he can tell you exactly how good the ASNSW are at looking atfer staff. (good to see your still vocal) Rik's missus has coped a raw go of it lately too, talk about manipulating a selection panel. It's not just this issue but can someone explain how a junior officer with no qualifications can get a standby co-ord job over a SCAT officer with more quals than you could jump over, it seems to me that the nepotism is still high in the ASNSW, if your face don't fit forget it.
SPIDER said...
Anonymous,
Don't know, don't care. Don't use peoples real names on this blog.
Have some respect for this man's privacy. Are you an Ambulance Officer. I expect not.
SPIDER
Then he said...
sickofgivinga!!!!,
Well, well, well never a more acurate or intelligent blog has ever been posted on this site. Well done. This clown Malone has played a huge part in tearing apart morale and shattering peoples dreams in this service for nearly 20 years. He wouldn’t make an ambos bum hole let alone be in charge of their professional development. Oh boy could I tell you some stories about his days on the road!!!!.
Sickofgiving you got that right my friend.
SPIDER
At least you could be a bit consistant. Does this mean you aren't a real ambo too Spider you idiot.
I believe Harley Davidson are chasing people and prosecutng those who use their copyrighted Bar and Shield. Is this why the Frogs can't wear them on the new uniforms. Rik S says he designed them so maybe he will get a knock on the door soon.
Is this site moderated? I have only just found this site through another ambo and it started out ok but has pretty much fallen apart from what I have seen. I posted an earlier message that has gone missing hence my question re moderation. I have been an ambo for 30 years on road, in the old Quay Street Co-ord and a rescue officer. I have seen it all. I have heard all this crap a million times and you know why it is never going to be any different because we are too soft. We don't want to upset anyone. Lets have a paperwork ban!! Oh the bosses must love that one. Yes and they are laughing now because they are here amongst us aren't you? Who remembers when we walked on McKell building all those years ago and demanded more staff. I know you were there Rik. I still have the Channel 10 news footage. It worked. We got more staff. We had our opportunity in Sydney before APEC and we blew it. We should have told them they had no 'AMBULANCE' for APEC until they paid us a decent wage. Who are our delegates working for. Themselves I suspect. They asked us how many staff we wanted and we said none. They gave us one anyway which has cost us money. Whose stupid idea was it to change us to AMBULANCE anyway? Who comes up with all this hair brained stuff. Read Sirens lately. What a load of crap. How good are we? The best AMBULANCE in the world. I thought the ambulance was the tool we worked out of but apparently not. I get annoyed every day when I go to work over the politics of the place. How our union agreed to the current Sick Leave policy is absolutely beyond me. They sure didn't ask me about it. What did they give away for that one. They tell the country people that the city people want this and that and have voted on this and that and vice versa so they get what they want. They are so in bed with the government and hence AMBULANCE it is not funny. I am probably rambling but it might be the drugs. Yes I am due anti depressants and pain killers. Here one day gone the next. The good bosses are long gone. Some of you know who I mean. I miss people like John Walton and Kevin Williams who called a spade a shovel but would back you to the hilt. Didn't realise how good I had it. I struggle to go to work these days but I don't have any choice. I was an idiot long ago and never paid enough into Super so I am here forever. Too old to do anything else now. I see one of our brothers snapped a while back. I am surprised there is not more of us. The way we are pushed to perform and now we have RCA's to see if we did a good job or not. Haven't heard of an RCA? You will. They want us to get CTP points on our days off but won't pay anything for our upgrades. Level 5's and level 4's get an allowance but a 3C or P1 gets nothing. Great eh? But ask the union and they will tell you that P1's said they didn't want anything. They were happy to do it just so they could have the skills. Yeah right. I hate our union. I pay my $21 in case I get into trouble but I have seen how pathetic they are when someone does. Why do we continue to stay with them? Because we are too worried that we might miss out on a pay rise or tomorrow I might abuse someone and need their help. In the meantime they are laughing behind our backs. You know how we are going to get any kind of decent pay rise? We need to just name a date and walk off the job. A total walk off. No if's or maybe's or deals. The railway workers can do it, teachers, garbo,s, truckies,and so can we. We just have to get over this crap of feeling like we owe the public anything. We don't. We have been loyal servants for a long time. We are all for treating the genuine patient no question there but the AMBULANCE has made it so easy for the bludger to use an ambulance that they are taking us for granted and we have to smile and be polite to them no matter how much rubbish they hang on us and they know it. EVERYBODY has a pension card. Who asks IF they are on a pension these days. It is just taken for granted. We need a levy placed on say our electricity. Even the dickheads have to have power so maybe that would work but then we would need to employ another thousand people to cope with the rush. Well I only have a few short years left here and I say to the young ones on this list to hang in there and hope they sort things out. It used to be a great job once. It could be again but we need a union who cares about US not themselves and that goes for most of the delegates out there too. I am sure there are some good ones but I am yet to meet any. Goodnight folks.
Reba Meagher on the news tonight looking very smug. It is time we work to rule people. No clearing until we are clear. One job at a time. One patient at a time. An ambulance for every patient at MVA's. Forget asbout feeling bad for your local community. No extra on call shifts. Off station for lunch. Lets do it.
you cunts in the bush will never get support again
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