Paramedics in Dubbo and across NSW will continue their liquid chalk campaign in spite of an Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) recommendation.
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The union representing paramedics came before the IRC on Monday over the campaign, which has seen slogans like “Mike Baird thinks paramedics aren’t worth protecting” painted on ambulances across the Central West.
The IRC recommended “paramedics, on and from the 26th of September 2016 refrain from writing political slogans on NSW Ambulance vehicles, and follow directions by managers to remove any such writing from vehicles”.
But the Health Services Union (HSU) has advised the Commission it will not abide by the Recommendation, “as they do not think it appropriate to interfere with members’ rights to express their political views”.
“Especially when it is both respectful and polite and about better protections for paramedics and the community,” the HSU said in a statement.
“The IRC recommendation was made to all workers.
“Paramedics are continuing in their campaign to highlight the inadequacies of inappropriate paramedic protections and are encouraging their community members to fully participate as well.”
The chalk paint campaign began earlier this month to build pressure on the state government after paramedics’ co-contribution death and disability insurance scheme was cut by up to 75 per cent.
Changes to the insurance came about after the cost to government hit 3.6 per cent of wages in 2015.
At that point it had been agreed government could review the scheme. But the new scheme provides less than one-third of the support given to injured police officers.
Paramedics from Dubbo, Wellington and Narromine have been protesting the change, and on Monday sent an open letter calling on Dubbo MP and Deputy Premier Troy Grant to join the fight.
The letter, signed by “all paramedics in the Dubbo electorate”, called on Mr Grant to commit to “actively lobbying” Premier Mike Baird and Health Minister Jillian Skinner to “reinstate proper paramedic death and disability protections”.
Last week Mr Grant said he supported what the paramedics were trying to achieve, but that ambulances were not the place for “union tactics”.
On Tuesday he reiterated his support.
“I have met with my local paramedics and heard their concerns,” Mr Grant said.
“As I indicated to them they have my support. I have already spoken to the Premier and Health Minister and we are working our way through the situation.”