Ambulance officers step up strike, refuse to attend events

For immediate release: 2 December 2016

Ambulance officers step up strike action, refuse to attend events

From 17 December 2016 more than 800 Ambulance professionals in the North Island will undertake an ‘events ban’ and refuse to provide cover for summer events like Christmas in the Park.

The events ban will be the third time St John ambulance staff take action over a poor pay offer and inadequate measures to relieve the alarming levels of fatigue among front line staff.

Hundreds of ambulance staff have been speaking out on social media about the issues at St John including the dangers of single-crewing, prolonged work periods without tea breaks, and a lack of skilled paramedics.

Lynette Blacklaws, spokesperson for Ambulance Professionals First, said ambulance staff are fed-up.

“St John has failed to listen.”

“Many people don't realise ambulance staff are often working overtime to cover events. St John have traded off their staff's goodwill for too long and now staff are saying enough is enough.”

Ambulance Professionals First, the network within FIRST Union for ambulance officers, has been negotiating with St John since June. Ms Blacklaws said a deal struck between St John and the four smaller unions last month was “a joke.”

ENDS

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