PARAMEDICS are hoping to garner 10,000 signatures to have changes to their death and disability cover debated on the floor of parliament, as they fight to retain their entitlements.
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Changes to the scheme for ambulance paramedics come into force in a little over a month, but the Health Services Union is ramping up the fight against it, arguing it will leave members worse off.
After a silent protest a fortnight ago, the union has circulated a petition to all New England paramedics, in a bid to get members of parliament on side. “We’ve spoken to some of our local MPs and they are surprised, horrified by the situation, which is like most people,” Health Services Union New England Sub-branch president Dave Lucietto said.
“Members of the public have inquired because they’ve read the article in The Leader, and have told us their surprise at our situation, and have asked what they can do to help, so we’ve got this petition.
“I’ve spoken to friends at Brewarrina, Walgett, Narrabri, Quirindi, across the Northern Tablelands, Tenterfield, everybody got it.”
Under the new death and disability scheme, which will come into effect on August 20, paramedics will receive a payout of about $123,000 if they suffer a career-ending injury, as part of a two-year income-protection plan.
Under the current death and disability scheme, paramedics in their 20s and 30s receive up to $685,000.
The union has rejected Health Minister Jillian Skinner’s claims paramedics will be $1770 per year better off because they won’t have to contribute to the cost of the new scheme, like they do presently.
“One of our New England members looked into private income protection with an insurance broker, and, being a 45-year-old healthy and fit paramedic, they were told it would cost nearly $700 a month,” Mr Lucietto said.
“When the minister said paramedics would be $1500 a year better off, well, that’s not going to cut it, because it would only give me two or three months’ income protection.”
Mr Lucietto said insurance brokers had told local members the high-risk nature of their job meant there were higher costs for cover.
“It’s basically because paramedics were one of the three highest-risk categories for the workplace, which is why the premiums are so high,” he said.
“The members are feeling extremely poorly done by the ministry and that’s why we’re pushing on with the petition and a call to arms to have the matter debated in parliament.
“And we will continue until we succeed – that is a guarantee.”
“Members of the public have inquired because they’ve read the article in The Leader, and have told us their surprise at our situation, and have asked what they can do to help, so we’ve got this petition.
“I’ve spoken to friends at Brewarrina, Walgett, Narrabri, Quirindi, across the Northern Tablelands, Tenterfield, everybody got it.”
Under the new death and disability scheme, which will come into effect on August 20, paramedics will receive a payout of about $123,000 if they suffer a career-ending injury, as part of a two-year income-protection plan.
Under the current death and disability scheme, paramedics in their 20s and 30s receive up to $685,000.
The union has rejected Health Minister Jillian Skinner’s claims paramedics will be $1770 per year better off because they won’t have to contribute to the cost of the new scheme, like they do presently.
“One of our New England members looked into private income protection with an insurance broker, and, being a 45-year-old healthy and fit paramedic, they were told it would cost nearly $700 a month,” Mr Lucietto said.
“When the minister said paramedics would be $1500 a year better off, well, that’s not going to cut it, because it would only give me two or three months’ income protection.”
Mr Lucietto said insurance brokers had told local members the high-risk nature of their job meant there were higher costs for cover.
“It’s basically because paramedics were one of the three highest-risk categories for the workplace, which is why the premiums are so high,” he said.
“The members are feeling extremely poorly done by the ministry and that’s why we’re pushing on with the petition and a call to arms to have the matter debated in parliament.
“And we will continue until we succeed – that is a guarantee.”
