Riverina paramedics refused all but life-threatening call outs on Thursday as part of a statewide strike calling for increased wages.
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Health Services Union NSW secretary Gerard Hayes said the purpose of the strike was to get fair compensation for the work of paramedics, but call-outs for serious conditions would not be affected.
"NSW paramedics are at breaking point," he said.
"They're not trying to get rich.
"They just want a fair pay rise that recognises the cost of living and the intensity of their work."
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The union said last year paramedics were awarded a 0.3 per cent pay rise and this year the state government had proposed a 1.5 per cent increase, which is still less than inflation.
Mr Hayes said coronavirus has posed a threat to the health and safety of paramedics and they deserved a higher wage.
"Our paramedics were required to transport COVID-positive patients, without adequate protective equipment," he said.
"They were exposed to a wild and deadly disease, yet they continued to serve the people of NSW and protect their health.
"To offer paramedics a pay cut is humiliating and insulting."
Mr Hayes said NSW paramedics were the worst paid in the country.
"[They] personally carry the cost of their professional registration and education," he said.
"This pay cut will set them further behind."
The union gave more than a week's notice that paramedics would be undertaking strike action, which the union said was to avoid impacting life-threatening emergencies.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet met with union leaders on Wednesday but they were unable to resolve the dispute.
"He simply needs to provide paramedics a fair day's pay for a fair day's work," Mr Hayes said.
The Albury Ambulance station and the Union's Riverina representative were contacted for comment.
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