Ambulance officers in New Zealand have voted to go on strike due to a lack of progress in negotiations and St John’s failure to offer a pay raise. This situation requires immediate attention.
The strike, organized by members of FIRST Union and the New Zealand Ambulance Association (NZAA), will occur on 20 August and again on 24 August.
The unions claim that the strike came after St John failed to offer a pay raise and the government could not confirm any funding increase for the service.
Faye McCan, the national ambulance coordinator for FIRST Union, stated that the decision to strike was made after a lack of progress in negotiations put officers in a difficult situation.
Mark Quin, the chairperson of the NZAA Division, also expressed reluctance to make the decision but highlighted that ambulance officers felt undervalued by St John.
St John medic and union member Tom Bannan described the situation as the “worst state” he had ever seen.
They emphasized the massive public and community support for the ambulance officers. The unions will now negotiate with St John over signing a life-preserving services agreement.
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