The Victorian Ambulance Union has reached an in-principle agreement to secure a pay rise and improved working conditions for members. It comes as negotiations between the government and other emergency enter a stalemate and head to the fair work commission
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00:00A long battle, wiped clean.
00:05It's well deserved and long overdue because they are the best paramedics anywhere in the
00:08world.
00:09And soon to be some of the best paid paramedics in the country.
00:14Under the deal, most paramedics will receive a pay rise of almost 17% over four years.
00:21Experienced paramedics will receive a 20% bump over the same period and mobile intensive
00:26care ambulance workers will get a $12,500 bonus, leading to an overall wage increase
00:33of up to 33%.
00:35The government tight lipped on where it will find room in the budget.
00:39I will leave those issues until the conclusion of the vote.
00:44We do respect that there's a process.
00:49The pay is welcome, but improved working conditions is what they were desperate for.
00:54A 10, 12, 14 hour shift, we're okay with those shift times.
00:57It's when they're getting extended on top of that, you again, you keep missing out on
01:00things with your family and friends.
01:03New policies will prevent paramedics from being sent out to low priority cases in the
01:07last hour of their shift and from being contacted unless it's a life-threatening emergency.
01:14But the fight isn't over for other emergency services.
01:17Negotiations are at a deadlock for the Police Association and the United Firefighters Union.
01:23Both have been forced to the Fair Work Commission for mediation.
01:27We must operate within the wages policy that government sets, that's 3%.
01:33The association is seeking 6%, so there's a disparity there.
01:38That disparity is leading Police Union members to maintain their industrial action.
01:43Victoria Police says that won't impact public safety during this weekend's grand final celebrations.
01:49We expect to have a good strong policing overlay and that's what we will have on the day.
01:55For now, ambulance workers are back on the road with a new message.
01:59At the end of the day, we just want to be happy, healthy paramedics.
02:02Members will vote on the new deal later this year.