CPA - The Guardian

Victorian paramedics warned Premier John Brumby at a mass rally last week that a death is inevitable unless he supports ten-hour breaks between shifts to combat on-the-job fatigue. Paramedics told the Premier he risks paying a heavy electoral price for the contempt he is showing them which they say is reminiscent of former Liberal premier Jeff Kennett.

Paramedics, police, fire-fighters and community supporters marched through the city to demand proper rest breaks and wages for Victorian paramedics, who have been campaigning for 15 months for a new collective agreement.

Paramedics held a mass meeting at Trades Hall and then marched to Treasury Place and installed freeway signs featuring TAC* safety messages outside the Premier’s office, including:
“OPEN YOUR EYES – FATIGUE KILLS”,
“ZONING OUT CAN BE DEADLY”.

Paramedics stated that unless Premier Brumby has a change of heart Victoria will be stuck with eight-hour breaks for another four years – and the consequences of this could be deadly.

“Many paramedics are convinced that someone will die unnecessarily from paramedic fatigue. It could be a patient, a paramedic, or another motorist. It is just a matter of time.” said Steve McGhie, state secretary of Ambulance Employees Australia.

“And all because Premier Brumby refuses to let ambos have proper rest breaks between shifts, like almost every other state already has done.

“A few weeks ago, after a very long night shift, an ambo fell asleep while driving home. He wrote off his car. It was just luck he didn’t kill himself or anyone else.

“Countless paramedics will tell you they’ve been so fatigued they’ve nodded off while driving – or their partner has. It is terrifying. Many have said they’ve also made mistakes while working because they just can’t get enough sleep between shifts,” Mr McGhie said.

“Two years ago the coroner found an ambo was fatigued when he gave a patient the wrong drug. It is that serious. Will it take a tragedy for Premier Brumby to finally wake up?”

Mr McGhie said paramedics felt angry and insulted by the Premier’s stance, and warned he was out of step with public opinion.

“About 10,000 people on Facebook are supporting our campaign and more than 3,000 people have sent emails to the Health Minister demanding longer rest breaks and fair wages.

“The community knows this is deadly serious. No one can understand why it has taken Premier Brumby so long to sort this out.”

Mr McGhie said the Premier is deceiving the public repeatedly saying there are 175 claims. “Paramedics never had 175 claims. We are now down to seven outstanding matters and unfortunately longer rest breaks remain one the major obstacles to reaching a deal.”

* TAC is the transport accident body in Victoria

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