NSW: Ambulance officers vote to expand bans

AAP General News (Australia)
02-16-2000
NSW: Ambulance officers vote to expand bans

SYDNEY, Feb 16 AAP - No paramedics will be on standby at weekend races and other sporting
fixtures across New South Wales after ambulance officers voted to impose work bans from
Friday.

A Sydney meeting of ambulance officers voted unanimously to escalate the dispute with
the ambulance service, claiming it had shown a blatant disregard for public safety.

In a 12-point resolution, the officers voted to enforce the bans on sporting fixtures
from midnight on Friday indefinitely.

The bans will hit weekend racing hardest, but events including triathlon and speedway
races also will be affected.

First grade rugby league matches would be unaffected, the NSW Health and Research Employees
Association said.

Affiliated union, the Australian Workers Union (AWU), told the packed meeting at Trades
Hall in Sydney central that jockeys were in support of the officers' action.

An AWU spokesman said the union would recommend jockeys not ride at weekend race meetings
because of the imposed bans.

Officers began their industrial action on January 18, refusing to handle administrative
matters or use a new radio system because of safety concerns.

The dispute centres on stalled negotiations on overtime claims and a refusal by officers
to use the new radio system.

Bans were later expanded to restrict the transfer of patients between hospitals and
from hospitals to other care facilities.

AAP nd/sal/tsm/arb

KEYWORD: AMBULANCE LEAD

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