Paramedic crews agree to stay on the job

By Melissa Meehan
GREATER Dandenong’s 12 intensive care paramedics will no longer walk off the job after an agreement was made between them and the State Government.
Officers from MICA 16, a unit which covers both municipalities, last week said they had no choice but to revert to advanced life support paramedics after the State Government refused their requests for a $200 to $300 a week pay rise.
They are among the 330-odd MICA paramedics whose resignations were poised to become effective as of 7am today (Thursday).
Ambulance Victoria reached a settlement to the dispute with MICA paramedics by clarifying terms and conditions in the in-principle agreement reached in Fair Work Australia last month.
Ambulance service chief executive officer Greg Sassella said that the agreement recognised the work that MICA paramedics did and paved the way for future initiatives to keep the service as a world-leading ambulance service.
“The resolution reached today will see MICA paramedics continue to practise their skills,” Mr Sassella said.
‘‘We have clarified some details of the EBA offer made last month, in particular allowance payments, and the MICA paramedics are now satisfied that this represents a fair and balanced deal for our paramedics and the Victorian community.”
He said while it had been a lengthy process both sides had agreed to work together.
The agreement means that proposed strike action by MICA paramedics for today (Thursday) will be called off.
Ambulance Victoria will meet with MICA and union representatives this afternoon to finalise details of the EBA offer.
“We’re pleased that we were able to reach agreement and that our ambulance paramedics will continue to provide the very best emergency care.”