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NSW Paramedics set to rally today | #NSWpol #AUsunions #HSU

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Darin Sullivan in Main

NSW PARAMEDICS SET TO RALLY


NSW Paramedics have planned a “Freedom of Choice! Give Us a Voice!” Rally outside NSW Parliament House, Sydney.

Paramedics will meet at an, as yet, undisclosed location in Sydney CBD @ 1100hrs, Tuesday 19th June 2012 and will walk to Parliament House for a Rally.

The Emergency Medical Service Protection Association NSW Inc. (EMSPA) has been lobbying in support of legislation to allow Paramedics and Junior Doctors the right to choose their own Industrial Representative.

The Rally is being held by NSW Paramedics to let the NSW Parliament know how much they want this change to the legislation and allow EMSPA to register as an industrial body.

EMSPA was formed three years ago by a small group of Paramedics disillusioned with the representation being afforded to them by the Health Services Union (HSU).  EMSPA now represents a significantly large number of NSW Paramedics and is ready to apply for industrial registration, once given the opportunity.  EMSPA continues to go from strength to strength and has a proven track record representing Paramedics in various ways. We have recently opened an office in Sydney and now employ a full time Secretary and have engaged the full time services of our own experienced Industrial Solicitor.

The current law in NSW states that Paramedics must belong to HSU if they want to be “a party to the Award”, because Paramedics can “conveniently belong” to HSU.  NSW Paramedics no longer want to “conveniently belong” to what has become a “dysfunctional” HSU and as such have no voice in their own industrial future.It is time for change.

Freedom of Choice! Give us a Voice!

via nsw.emspa.org.au

About Darin Sullivan (1980 Articles)
Former President of the Fire Brigade Employees’ Union (2009-2018) and a professional firefighter with more than 30 years experience. I live and work on the NSW South Coast, Australia. I am a strong advocate for firefighters and emergency service workers with an interest in mental health issues and caring for those around me. I am a former Director on the NSW Fire Brigades Death and Disability Super Fund and work with charities including ‘The Movember Foundation’. As a leader and activist I have long been active in the campaign for action on climate change. I am a Station Commander in the fire and rescue service in NSW and have 30 years experience fighting fires, both rural and urban. I am passionate about highlighting the impact climate change is having on fire preparedness and fire behaviour in Australia, and the risks associated with inaction on climate change. I am also a spokesperson for the Australian Climate Media Centre.

2 Comments on NSW Paramedics set to rally today | #NSWpol #AUsunions #HSU

  1. Craig Parsons // June 20, 2012 at 4:08 pm //

    Darin
    what happens if firefighters want to opt out of the FBEU and start their own ‘union’, will you offer them a “freedom to choose, and a freedom of Voice”?
    Or is the FBEU different from the following……..

    ” The current law in NSW states that Paramedics must belong to HSU if they want to be “a party to the Award”, because Paramedics can “conveniently belong” to HSU”……….

    Makes me wonder as to what the union movement is coming to, would never have happened in my old job…………

    Like

    • Darin Sullivan // July 9, 2012 at 2:14 pm //

      Hi, sorry, I missed this earlier on. Please note that the blog about EMPSPA was not a statement or endorsement by me (or the FBEU), but simply a report on what was happening that day, and what EMPSPA was saying.

      Personally, I think we need to maintain one Union for each workgroup, and the only way to have splinter groups or different representation should by by agreement with the predominant Union. The last thing Unions need is splits and break aways.

      Ambo’s seem to have some legitimate issues with the HSU, but as I say to FBEU members, if you don;t like what’s happening in the tent, get in there and make change happen. Leaving the tent gets us nowhere…

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