News
06
August, 2021
NPT meal break dispute – Appeal to full bench at Fair Work
06 August, 2021
The Victorian Ambulance Union Incorporated (VAU) is pleased to inform members that we are appealing the recent decision by the Fair Work Commission in relation to the NPT meal break dispute. As a reminder to members, this dispute centres around the argument that a meal break is not only in paid time but also counts as time worked.
29
July, 2021
Medium Acuity Patient Transport (MATS)
29 July, 2021
The VAU have been advocating for a significant increase in AV NEPT capability to free up emergency crews to attend emergency cases.
28
July, 2021
St John Ambulance bargaining – draft Log of Claims
28 July, 2021
The VAU are pleased to inform members that we have now finished a draft log of claims (see attached).
22
July, 2021
RFDS Update to Enterprise Bargaining
22 July, 2021
At the completion of the meeting, RFDS agreed to provide the new proposal in the form of a draft agreement to the VAU.
02
July, 2021
NPT Paid Meal Break – FWC Decision
02 July, 2021
The VAU is extremely disappointed about the decision as well as potential industry ramifications. We are now in the process of considering whether we can appeal the decision with the Full Bench of the FWC.
15
June, 2021
Meal Breaks at Hospital
15 June, 2021
Ambulance Victoria have announced that they intend to introduce a new practice of directing crews to have their meal breaks at hospitals or within 15 minutes of clearing from hospital as opposed to returning to their home branch where they can rest and recline.
09
June, 2021
RSRP and Spare
09 June, 2021
If you are rostered to a spare line, you have the right to start your shift from your home branch. Once you have arrived at work and your rostered shift time has started you may then be directed to go to a secondary location. At that point you may request a taxi or work vehicle or if you choose to travel in your own vehicle.
07
June, 2021
Vale – Phil Cavanagh
07 June, 2021
It is with great sadness that the Victorian Ambulance Union Incorporated (VAU) informs members of the passing of Phil Cavanagh.
01
June, 2021
St John Ambulance Enterprise Bargaining – UPDATE
01 June, 2021
Members will be asked to endorse the log of claims before it is served on St John.
27
May, 2021
ESTA members should be proud
27 May, 2021
Recently several media outlets have published stories about delays in answering 000 ambulance calls, bringing much needed public attention to the significant danger faced by patients calling an ambulance.
07
May, 2021
Swinburne/RMIT survey results – VOLUME 1 & 2
07 May, 2021
We are pleased to present the Findings from the Survey on Workplace Climate and Well-being of Victorian Ambulance Workers (Vol. 1 & 2). Each volume deals with the following issues...
03
May, 2021
AV Meal Breaks at Hospital
03 May, 2021
On Friday 30 April 2021, the VAU met with AV senior management to discuss its concerns about access to meal breaks. In this meeting the VAU was informed that AV were planning to address the current issues with meal breaks by unilaterally directing all crews to have meals at hospital or at branches nearby during busy periods.
31
March, 2021
Meal Breaks – Update
31 March, 2021
The information provided demonstrates a significant escalation relating to workload and demand over recent months.
26
March, 2021
What is considered ‘Reasonable Overtime’?
26 March, 2021
There are factors which must be taken into account to determine whether the requirement to work overtime hours is unreasonable following a refusal by an employee to work these overtime hours.
25
March, 2021
Rostering Graduates to Annual Leave
25 March, 2021
Graduate members should be aware of the following clause in the Ambulance Victoria Enterprise Agreement 2020 (AVEA):
24
March, 2021
RFDS EBA – Current Status
24 March, 2021
If the conciliation process does not result in a resolution, the VAU has a new Protected Action Ballot Application ready to be filed in the Fair Work Commission.
24
March, 2021
Industrial Update – New EA Disciplinary Procedure
24 March, 2021
The new Procedure provides the VAU with much more scope to protect members against inconsistent, ad hoc, and unfair investigations and outcomes.
15
March, 2021
Meal Breaks
15 March, 2021
Rest assured the VAU will be prosecuting this matter and are currently considering legal options arising under both the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004 (Vic).
12
March, 2021
VAU Industrial Assistance Update – Don’t wait to ask for help
12 March, 2021
If the VAU is involved from the start of a process initiated by your employer, we can make sure that they are following their own policies and processes when discussing issues of concern with you.
01
March, 2021
Ambulance Workload
01 March, 2021
As members will be aware, recently the VAU successfully lobbied for increases in paramedic resources across Victoria, which resulted in the following initiatives: