All updates – Page 12 – Ambulance Employees Australia

Ketamine Incidents

Environmental/occupational exposure to Ketamine happens and the consequences can be catastrophic if...

Workplace Behaviours Survey For Worksafe

WorkSafe are currently reviewing Workplace Behaviours training at Ambulance Victoria. The AEAV...

Workplace Behaviours Survey for WorkSafe

WorkSafe are currently reviewing Workplace Behaviours training at Ambulance Victoria. The AEAV conducted a survey to gather information in support of the review.

The key takeaways are –

Training is usually provided by someone without qualifications in the area

Training is rarely offered as a refresher. Most people can’t remember when they last did it, a lot of people can’t remember whether they did it at all

Training has not resulted in any observable improvements in workplace behaviours

Training is rarely provided to managers about their obligations around managing workplace behaviours or in how they treat staff, when it is provided it is limited training (such as a handbook)

The results from the survey are below.

Workplace Behaviours Survey for WorkSafe

WorkSafe are currently reviewing Workplace Behaviours training at Ambulance Victoria. The AEAV...

ESTA Staffing Review Recommendations

The AEAV Staffing Review recommendations are downloadable for review and feedback. These...

Health Worker Immunisation Roll-Out

We have been meeting at both a National and State level with...

Health Worker Immunisation Roll-out

We have been meeting at both a National and State level with...

Health Worker Immunisation Roll-out

We have been meeting at both a National and State level with relevant minsters and advisors to get information on the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccinations. Meetings are ongoing so if you have queries, please let us know. At this stage we have been advised that Health Workers have been split into two categories for access to the vaccination. The majority of operational staff will be classified as category 1a, meaning they will get first access to the Pfizer vaccination.

Staff will be further prioritized to ensure that frontline workers at risk of encountering Covid-19 through direct patient care will be prioritised, meaning that both Paramedics and Patient Transport Officers are scheduled to have access to the vaccine in its first stage.

Category 1a is estimated to be completed in approximately 3 weeks (provided sufficient vaccines are available), with 6 regional vaccination hubs to be set up across the state, and vaccinations will be provided at several hospitals in Melbourne.

The speed of immunization depends on numbers of vaccinations available and on people available to administer the vaccine, at this point Victoria are looking to upskill additional RN’s and medication qualified EN’s, Paramedics and some latter year students to assist. The vaccinations will not be considered mandatory for health workers, despite requirements in the Ambulance Act.

If you have queries about the process for Covid-19 vaccinations, please contact the AEAV office on 03 9287 1713.

ESTA Staffing Review Recommendations

The AEAV Staffing Review recommendations are downloadable for review and feedback.

These recommendations have been developed through conducting surveys of members and through listening to individual experiences. The submission aims to cover the concerns raised by operations staff about lack of staff, lack of access to leave, issues with ongoing training and career progression.

Final dates for submission to the review are not yet available, and we look forward to making our final submission to the review.

AEAV – ESTA STAFFING REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS

ESTA Staffing Review Recommendations

The AEAV Staffing Review recommendations are downloadable for review and feedback. These...

Delegate Training and Planning

A group of AEAV Delegates from Ambulance Victoria and ESTA gathered at the end of January to complete some training in Bullying and Harassment through OHS and representing members in the workplace.

Delegate Training and Planning

A group of AEAV Delegates from Ambulance Victoria and ESTA gathered at...

Preference Lists under threat

Ambulance Victoria have unilaterally and inconsistently decided to change the rules regarding the use of Preference Lists.

The AEAV have lodged a dispute with the Fair Work Commission about Ambulance Victoria not following policy and procedure around the filling of positions at on-call branches.

AV currently fills non-call and on-call branches using a preference list. An existing policy applies and the current process has existed for more than a decade. Through the course of 2020 two positions at the Mirboo North branch became vacant, and were to be filled through preference lists. Ambulance Victoria have recently decided to unilaterally change the process they are using to an Expression of Interest which is open to all paramedics, with no consultation or discussion with workers.

Ignoring the preference list allows for a “captains pick”. This opens the door for actual or perceived nepotism. Preference lists exist to minimise the risk of bias. If VEOHRC are looking for examples of workplace practices that contribute to discrimination, this seems a clear one.

Under the Ambulance Victoria Enterprise Agreement 2020, AV are obliged to consult with employees about changes to existing work practices and give prompt consideration to matters raised by employees or employee representatives.

To date AV have been dismissive of members concerns and are ploughing on with little regard for the impact on paramedics who have spent years waiting on a list to get to their preferred branch. AEAV are proposing that consultation be undertaken before any change is implemented and that in the meantime the relevant procedure is followed. We look forward to speaking with Ambulance Victoria in the Fair Work Commission and hope to come to an agreement that ensures that employees get a voice in any change that impacts them.

If you are concerned about how this will impact you please let us know at [email protected] or call us on 9287 1713.

Preference Lists under threat

Ambulance Victoria have unilaterally and inconsistently decided to change the rules regarding...

VEOHRC Information Sessions

VEOHRC have recently run information sessions for the AEAV and members, providing information about the review. They have outlined the scope of the review and how bullying fits within this. Bullying can be considered either discriminatory or can be a factor contributing to discrimination, sexual harassment or victimisation in the workplace.

There is a clear recognition of the importance of confidentiality for participants making submissions, and a number of avenues to support submission making have been provided. Submissions are unable to be delivered anonymously, however approval will be sought or stories will be de-identified if they are mentioned in the final report.

Supporting documentation for the sessions, and our FAQ information sheet is below –

VEOHRC Unions Information Session PPT

Guide to the Equal Opportunity Act

VEOHRC Review – Frequently Asked Questions

VEOHRC Information Sessions

VEOHRC have recently run information sessions for the AEAV and members, providing...