NSW: Carr questions ambo's industrial action

AAP General News (Australia)
08-06-2004
NSW: Carr questions ambo's industrial action

NSW Premier BOB CARR has accused ambulance officers of threatening industrial action
because of pay negotiations, not emergency waiting times.

Ambulance officers have threatened to boycott sporting events -- including Sunday's
City to Surf marathon -- in protest at staff shortages and emergency department waiting
times.

But Mr CARR says wage negotiations, which opened yesterday, are the real reason behind
the threatened action.

He says the government has opened an additional 973 beds to tackle the strain placed
on emergency departments by the decline in GP numbers and bulk billing, particularly in
the winter months.

Health Services Union members will vote at 3pm on the industrial action.

Mr CARR has urged ambulance staff not to withdraw from weekend sporting events.

AAP RTV tr/swe/ajc/rp "

KEYWORD: AMBO (SYDNEY)

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