News

The Victorian Ambulance Union Incorporated is delighted with the results of the recent ballot at RFDS for the new Enterprise Agreement (EA). The ballot closed at ‘Close of Business’ on Monday 15 September. Of the employees eligible to vote, 64% took the time to vote (208 returns out of a possible 325).

Of those who voted, an astounding 95.19% voted ‘Yes’ to the VAU endorsed EA. This is an extraordinary result.

RFDS members have achieved :

• wage increases of 3% per year (or CPI whichever is higher).
• Increased years of service (in the wages schedule) for PTO and Comms staff, to recognise experience in your role.
• $500 sign on bonus.
• Increased shift penalties incorporated into a simplified reconciliation process – done fortnightly.
• Student observer allowance – $1 per hour payable to both crew members.
• Increased CI allowance to $4 per hour and ATA supervisor allowance to $2.50 per hour Increased on-call allowance to $9 per hour (was $6).
• All checks (police, WWC etc.) re-imbursed by RFDS. This includes any cost of vaccination if RFDS do not offer their own in-house vaccinations.
• Footwear allowance increased to $100 per annum.
• Paid vaccination leave (2 days) if a member suffers side-effects after vaccination.

We also achieved significant improvements to conditions including:

• A dispute resolution clause
• A prescribed performance management and disciplinary procedure
• The right to ‘disconnect’
• Stand-down provisions which protect casual members’ income, in the event that they are suspended by RFDS pending disciplinary or other matters. Permanent employees already have this protection.
• Increased personal leave
• Paid union delegate leave
• Increased annual leave to five weeks per year.
• Increased parental leave entitlements

The VAU will use this Enterprise Agreement as the model for future bargaining with other providers.

Congratulations to all RFDS members for their valuable input and ideas. It is gratifying to see such high participation in the voting for this EA, not to mention the strong message of approval indicated by the ballot result. Enterprise bargaining is always member-driven.

Next steps

It is anticipated that the agreed EA will be lodged with the Fair Work Commission within the next week. We will update members when the agreement has been approved by the Commission.

In solidarity