Members met last night to talk about the ongoing dispute about Travel Allowance, and those present were extremely concerned about Ambulance Tasmania’s lack of transparency and consultation.

Ambulance Tasmania suggested “negotiating terms individually for OT shifts”, but we fundamentally disagree with that. Essentially, AT is saying that TA would not be paid for any OT shifts unless you specifically asked for it to be paid, then they would consider paying it if they couldn't find a different person to fill the shift.

Our stance is that no paramedics should accept an OT shift without being paid TA.

Also, AT did not explain clearly how Travel Allowance will or won’t be paid. How can you tell whether an offer to pay TA is genuinely made or accepted when there is no written proof on that? Then there is the problem of the legal ground to pay TA, which AT still refuses to acknowledge.

The dispute is not resolved, and all current bans remain as per our recent communication.

The current ban says:

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The AESB Executive disputes that members can be rostered away from their home station without specific approval of said member. If there is no specific agreement in place, then members should not accept work at a new location. If tasked or dispatched away from their normal place of work (within their normal shift), members should expect all travel to and from the other location to occur within their nominal rostered shift without an expectation to work additional hours. The law is clear, travel for work purposes should happen inside work hours and that travel should be only undertaken in a supplied work vehicle.

If you have any questions please call HACSUassist on 1300 880 032.