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AAP
AAP
Health
Rachael Ward

Paramedics vote for industrial action

Ambulance workers have voted to take industrial action after pay negotiations stalled. (Julian Smith/AAP PHOTOS)

Members of Victoria's paramedic union have voted to take industrial action as negotiations stalled over a new enterprise agreement.

Actions include writing campaign messages on ambulances, stopping work to speak to the media, refusing to collect billing details and activating beacons if they are ramped at hospitals for more than 40 minutes.

The action will begin on March 18.

The union insists it won't impact patient safety.

Secretary Danny Hill said the situation was disappointing after a year of negotiations.

"This (agreement) is about making the job more survivable with better work-life balance, reasonable workload, and getting home to family on time," he said.

"Without that we will continue to lose the experienced workforce."

Mr Hill said the union made ground in some areas but claimed most of the workforce has been offered a three per cent pay increase without many changes to conditions.

"These are the people who gave everything they had to the community during the COVID pandemic," he said.

"Ambos are dedicated to saving lives, but they deserve to have a life too."

Pay increases for Victoria's public sector workers are capped at three per cent per year, as outlined in the 2023 budget.

Ambulance Victoria has been contacted for comment.

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