Ambulance strike cancelled after agreement reached

File image/SunLive.

A planned strike by some St John paramedics and ambulance workers has been called off.

Hundreds of St John staff who are First Union members had been preparing to walk off the job for 24 hours tomorrow over failed pay negotiations.

First Union now says a pay agreement has been reached.

The agreement will see the full implementation of the independent pay review commissioned by St John.

"This is a fair offer that will see a number of staff receive significant pay adjustments to reflect their skills while ensuring that everyone benefits," says First Union's Transport, Logistics and Manufacturing Secretary, Jared Abbott.

"The settlement is the first step in rebuilding the relationship between the parties and will allow staff to refocus on their key priority of providing a safe and effective ambulance service."

A second strike planned for Saturday has also been cancelled.

A St John spokesperson says, "We are very pleased to reward our people with the full implementation of the independent pay review. This is an historic and significant pay correction for our people."

As part of the offer, concerns raised during bargaining about pay progression for existing call handlers and dispatchers have also been resolved

RNZ.

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4 comments

Poor service

Posted on 24-11-2020 23:19 | By Womby

We recently called an ambulance for an elderly parent who had collapsed at home. After saying they were on the way they rang after 25 minutes or so to say they were busy and couldn't come for some time, we ended up going by car to the hospital where the treatment was brilliant. The nurse was stunned to see how sick he was and rushed him through to be attended to instantly. I think St John's ambulance system needs a shakeup, it is an actual business after all. I do not approve of strikes as a bargaining chip, and I bet they would be disgusted if it was their family member who was put in that position


Wrong...

Posted on 25-11-2020 07:44 | By Wundrin

St John''s is not a business, it's a charity, and as such it relies largely upon volunteers and donations for its operation - do you contribute, Womby? As St John's provides such an essential service, perhaps it really ought to be fully taxpayer funded.


Wundrin

Posted on 25-11-2020 10:59 | By Womby

The gentleman mentioned is a paid member. I have been but not presently. I was involved in an organisation that paid for and used St John's ambulance service regularly. We had a national contract and I can tell you it was expensive, compared to the old zambuck days and regional deals. Maybe I'm wrong and it is a charity but I assure you that it is run as a business, I've seen the bills


Business

Posted on 25-11-2020 11:55 | By Yadick

It is definitely run as a business. I agree 100% they should not be striking. They're supposed to be professionals. As for graffitied Ambulances as their billboards that was just absolutely appalling. What a disgusting mess. I totally agree with Womby that the service needs a darn good shake up. They earn their money yes but I'm still shocked to hear the Hamilton Ambo stating they get 90k. That is way above most people.


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