New South Wales paramedics have accepted a record pay increase averting a mass walk out on the first of January. Senior paramedics will receive a 29 per cent pay rise over four years. Under the deal at a cost of half a billion dollars to taxpayers.
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00:00 Friends again after a marathon fight for better pay.
00:05 I'd like to really thank the paramedics behind us and the paramedics.
00:09 This has been so difficult.
00:14 I get to say that I'm proud to be a paramedic in NSW again today.
00:18 Paramedics will receive an average 25% pay increase over four years.
00:24 Critical care paramedics will see a 29% increase, taking salaries from about $98,000 to more than $127,000.
00:33 I hope today you understand how much value you provide our community.
00:39 The path to an agreement has not been easy.
00:42 Workers have marched the streets and into parliament, knocking back smaller offers.
00:47 But it was this threat that forced the government's hand.
00:50 You don't want to pay me as a paramedic?
00:52 Then I'll just be an ambulance driver.
00:54 A third of paramedics have held out on renewing their professional registration, rendering them unable to work from January 1.
01:02 We're I think sitting around about 60% registered.
01:05 Hopefully by this afternoon 100% will be registered.
01:08 This is by far the biggest pay rise the government has offered public sector workers since it vowed to abolish the wage cap and negotiate with unions.
01:17 The Treasurer says this was a special case.
01:20 And there is no doubt that our paramedics have been able to provide multiple layers of evidence which suggest how much their profession has changed.
01:30 The next generation of budding paramedics on a cadetship in Albury are looking forward to a fulfilling career.
01:37 I've got CSU entry into nursing and paramedicine so I'm really excited for my future in the emergency services.
01:43 Peace just in time for Christmas.
01:46 We probably owe each other a beer.
01:48 [BLANK_AUDIO]