Home

NSW paramedics plan budget day strike

AAPAAP
NSW paramedics are planning more industrial action next week, when the state budget is handed down.
Camera IconNSW paramedics are planning more industrial action next week, when the state budget is handed down. Credit: AAP

NSW paramedics will continue their wages spat with the state government by only attending the most urgent, life threatening cases on the day the budget is delivered.

The Health Services Union says the action on Tuesday follows an "insulting" pay offer from the state government.

It will be a repeat of last week's action that saw paramedics across the state impose the same restrictions over the government's 1.5 per cent pay offer, which was rejected by the union in May.

HSU NSW Secretary Gerard Hayes says despite dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and fires and floods, last year, paramedics only got a 0.3 per cent pay increase.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

This year's 1.5 per cent pay offer is less than the rate of inflation, which NSW Treasury forecasts at 2.2 per cent for the coming year.

"Our paramedics are seeking a very basic pay rise that allows them to do their job with dignity and respect. This is modest, affordable and very well deserved," Mr Hayes said.

The government is facing a staff retention crisis over the issue, he said.

"Paramedics can cross the border into Canberra and earn several hundred dollars more per week," he said.

"NSW taxpayers should be alarmed by this.

"We are spending hundreds of thousands to train and equip paramedics only to lose them interstate because the government won't pay a decent wage," he said.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails