News
16th June, 2023
National Patient Transport – Enterprise Agreement Update
As you know, the Victorian Ambulance Union Incorporated (VAU) and National Patient Transport (NPT) have been bargaining for a new Enterprise Agreement (the Agreement) for NPT employees. After the last bargaining meeting, the parties had reached in principle agreement and turned to drafting the new document.
Drafting of the new Agreement
Drafting an Agreement is a complex process and can take a long time. It is important that every clause is reviewed in detail as one word out of place can affect how the clause is interpreted and applies to your employment. After NPT provided their first draft on 10 May, the VAU has reviewed the document in detail, including inserting a new ‘Banked Leave’ clause and an overhauled disciplinary procedure. The VAU has now sent the revised document back to NPT for comment. There will need to be further editing and formatting of the document, as well as seeking feedback from other bargaining representatives, before the Agreement is ready to be put to a vote of the workforce.
Wage increase on 1 July
The current NPT Agreement stays in place until a new Agreement is voted on and ratified by the FWC. The current 2019 Agreement provides that employees’ wages will be indexed to the consumer price index (CPI) each year on 1 July, until the 2019 Agreement is terminated or replaced. For the current year, the relevant CPI figure is 7%. This means all employees will receive a 7% increase on 1 July, well ahead of the Award increase of 5.75% and average wage increases across the country.
The 7% CPI figure was higher than anticipated by the parties. The effect of the 7% increase is that wages as of 1 July will be higher for some classifications compared to the rates that had previously been agreed in principle for the new Agreement. This applies to PTOs and CSOs, and to ATAs in years 1 to 3. In light of this, the VAU has requested to meet with NPT to further discuss the wage rates in the new Agreement. NPT has agreed to meet with the VAU and other bargaining representatives on Friday 16 June. Below you will find a table comparing the current wage rates, the wages that will be paid as of 1 July, and the previous agreed wage claim.
The VAU will update members after the scheduled meeting with NPT and bargaining representatives. If you have any questions please call your NEPT Organisers;
- Kerry McLean
- 0480 194 783
- [email protected]
- Bruce Fine
- 0480 194 711
- [email protected]