Paramedics may take protected industrial action after the Queensland Ambulance Service failed to address one of their central concerns: workers regularly having shifts extended, leaving them burnt-out and fatigued.
QAS’s own data shows the top five stations in Queensland have 80% of their 10- or 12-hour shifts extended to ensure QAS can keep up with demand in the community, at all hours of the day and night.
The Union is regularly advised of lengthy shift extensions in rural areas, with paramedics working 20-plus hours, and metro officers regularly working 14 and 15 hour shifts.
Union members have been bargaining with QAS for the past three months to improve pay and conditions, with a key goal of ensuring workers get to finish their work on time and aren’t responding to emergencies when they’re already exhausted.
Despite offering several solutions, including a need for more paramedics to fill shifts, members are no closer to an agreement. The current agreement expires Sunday 31 August.
Delegates are now planning a state-wide meeting to discuss the steps towards embarking on protected industrial action.
Quotes attributable to Fiona Scalon, Ambulance Coordinator, United Workers Union:
“QAS says it’s reasonable for Paramedics, Patient Transport Officers and Emergency Medical Dispatchers to have one-third of shifts worked extended by over an hour.
“The reality is, this means paramedics are on shift and attending to emergencies when they’re carrying an impossible workload that compromises patient care.
“Every shift, these dedicated professionals are working beyond their limits. They’re missing their own children’s bedtimes because they’re saving someone else’s child. They’re choosing between their own health and their calling to help others.
“Just in the past 48 hours there has been an 8 hour shift extension reported in the Wide Bay area where an officer has worked 21 hours without a stand down. The union is advised of these kinds of examples most days of the week.
“We need adequate staffing and sustainable working hours that allow ambulance officers and paramedics to maintain their health, spend time with their families, and stay sharp for emergencies.
“This isn’t a big ask – it’s the bare minimum our ambulance workers and Queensland community deserve.”
Quote from Queensland Ambulance worker:
“Paramedics are being pushed beyond breaking point. We’re regularly working beyond our rostered hours, staying on shift to help Queenslanders when we’ve already worked 10-12 hours.
‘It’s time that adds up. We’re missing out on much-needed rest, time with our own families, and time to look after our own health.
“It’s affecting patients too – when you call Triple Zero, do you want the paramedic looking after you to be on their 13th hour of work?
“The fix is simple — more staff, safer hours, better support.”
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