News
04
December, 2023
Ambulance Victoria Enterprise Bargaining Update – Wages and Allowances
04 December, 2023
To date there has been 55 meetings. While there has been some slow but positive progress in some key areas relating to working conditions, we have had little progress in relation to wages.
28
November, 2023
ESTA Bargaining and Industrial Action Update
28 November, 2023
As VAU members would be aware, negotiations for a new agreement to cover ESTA operational employees have been ongoing since February this year, with the current agreement expiring on 30 June 2023. Despite the efforts of the Unions, we have not reached an agreement. Click for more info.
23
November, 2023
Changes to Priority 0 Dispatch
23 November, 2023
Recently the VAU was informed by our ESTA delegates of changes to call-taking and dispatch protocols which will affect our members. Specifically, the event type BREATHING PROBLEMS: INEFFECTIVE BREATHING has been changed from a Priority 1 to Priority 0 dispatch. More information:
17
November, 2023
PBR Dispute in the Fair Work Commission
17 November, 2023
The VAU lodged an urgent dispute in the Fair Work Commission against Ambulance Victoria seeking that AV comply with clause 11.2 of the AV Enterprise Agreement 2020. Click for more information:
14
November, 2023
Public Intoxication Reforms
14 November, 2023
The VAU has advocated against additional caseload for ambulance crews as a result of decriminalising public intoxication. It is important that these reforms are carefully monitored and the VAU is keen to hear of any examples of ambulance crews being inappropriately dispatched.
23
October, 2023
BALSECC Understaffed Again
23 October, 2023
On Saturday 30 September 2023, after the AFL Grand Final, BALSECC ran without any Ambulance Victoria Duty Manager, Communications Support Paramedics or Admin Support Officers.
20
October, 2023
Royal Flying Doctor Service – YOUR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RIGHTS
20 October, 2023
Thanks to the work of our RFDS members and HSRs, RFDS are holding an online meeting on 25th October to negotiate the number of HSRs and Designated Work Groups at using the process advised by WorkSafe. The VAU will attend.
20
October, 2023
ESTA Bargaining Update – October
20 October, 2023
Negotiations for a new agreement to cover ESTA operational employees have now been ongoing since February this year, with the current agreement expiring on 30 June 2023. Read on for more information....
19
October, 2023
Ambulance Victoria reject F.O.I request
19 October, 2023
The VAU recently requested documents under FOI from AV, related to Revised Ambulance Dispatch. This request was denied. While the VAU consider its legal options to take the matter further, we will continue to advocate for reform to call-taking and dispatch, on our own if we must.
10
October, 2023
St John Ambulance Victoria Non-Emergency Patient Transport Enterprise Agreement 2023
10 October, 2023
The Victorian Ambulance Union Incorporated is pleased to announce that the proposed St John Enterprise Agreement has been voted up by a majority of the workforce. This is the first ever Enterprise Agreement for Patient Transport workers at St. John. Click here to download the new agreement.
09
October, 2023
St John members vote IN FAVOUR of a new Enterprise Agreement
09 October, 2023
The Victorian Ambulance Union Incorporated is pleased to announce that the proposed St John Enterprise Agreement has been voted up by a majority of the workforce.
25
September, 2023
SAFETY ALERT – Misrouting cross-border Ambulance 000 calls
25 September, 2023
Members reporting significant delays in call handling, due to calls from border locations being misrouted to NSW Ambulance Service.
22
September, 2023
Ambulance Victoria Enterprise Bargaining Update 009
22 September, 2023
Over recent meetings we have started to see some slow but positive progress in some of the key areas where we are aiming to improve members wages and working conditions. This includes:
15
September, 2023
Constantly Altering Recruitment Exercises
15 September, 2023
The Victorian Ambulance Union has received a large number of complaints from members about recent AV recruitment processes. This includes members who have been told they are not worthy of an interview even though they have acted in these roles for many years, and some have been asked by AV to continue to act in these roles.
31
August, 2023
TRIPLE ZERO VICTORIA
31 August, 2023
The VAU welcomes the tabling of the Triple Zero Victoria Bill 2023 and the proposal to replace the Emergency Services Telecommunication Authority (ESTA) with a new statutory authority named Triple Zero Victoria, with strengthened oversight and partnerships with other emergency services.
29
August, 2023
SAFETY ALERT – Stryker Stretcher Batteries
29 August, 2023
On Sunday nightshift two members from Bairnsdale were exposed to hazardous chemicals when a spare Stryker Stretcher Battery expanded and leaked fumes into the ambulance cabin. Read on for more detail.
23
August, 2023
AV Serious Privacy Breach – UPDATE
23 August, 2023
Our members have informed the VAU that a further detailed communication was sent to them from the Chief Executive yesterday at 1525 hours. Almost 24 hours later, AV have not reciprocated the courtesy of communicating this update to the VAU.
22
August, 2023
AV Serious Privacy Breach
22 August, 2023
This follows a previous breach of privacy in early May 2023 where confidential spreadsheets of pre-employment AOD screens for AV graduates were accessible on the AV intranet. AV only became aware of this privacy breach when informed by the VAU.
15
August, 2023
Allegations of bullying during Workcover
15 August, 2023
Over recent weeks the VAU have received a concerning number of calls from members in tears while on Workcover after suffering a workplace injury in the course of their employment with AV. Read on for more information:
11
August, 2023
NPT Enterprise Agreement – Payment of built-in Overtime explained
11 August, 2023
Under the new Enterprise Agreement, one of the changes relates to meal breaks. Meal breaks will count as time worked. Previously they did not count as time worked, even though they were paid at single time.