'Gong workers win emergency service

Wollongong workers have won their battle for 24/7 availability 
of emergency doctors, after threatening a region-wide strike. A 
new deal will make a Wollongong Hospital doctor available for 
medical and rescue work across the Illawarra.

The new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was thrashed out 
between union delegates, the Ambulance Service of NSW, the 
Medical Retrieval Unit (MRU), the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter 
Service and Illawarra Health.

Combined Union delegates in the Illawarra, who unanimously 
endorsed the new MOU last week, had threatened a district 
stoppage if no progress was made on their claim for improved 
emergency services.

Workers campaigned for the service after concrete renderer Ron 
Tabak died before he could be reached by a doctor dispatched from 
Sydney — two and a half hours after witnesses say he fell into a 
trench.

"This is good news, not just for workers in heavy and dangerous 
industry, but the broader community as well", said South Coast 
Labour Council Secretary, Arthur Rorris. "The unanimous vote of 
combined union delegates is a positive indication that this deal 
will increase confidence in medical retrieval services in the 
Illawarra."

"The delegates were particularly appreciative of the goodwill and 
professionalism of the Wollongong Emergency doctors who undertook 
their basic helicopter training at short notice this week given 
their heavy schedules at the hospital.