Tuesday, May 22, 2007
** Nova Scotia paramedics preparing to strike?
** Seattle medic hit by car
** Melbourne EMS brass investigating after paramedics attend unsecured scene
** Queensland, Australia’s ambulance union declares staffing crisis
CANADA NEWS
** Nova Scotia paramedics could be preparing to strike next year. That is the word from the
Chronicle Herald (John Gillis/May 21) which quoted a representative from the practitioners’ union as saying job action could be forthcoming without a satisfactorily settled contract. International Union of Operating Engineers locals 968 and 968B spokesman Norman Earle said last year’s arbitration deal was less than ideal. Earle said no strike legislation would also not prevent a walkout. His comments come after Premier Rodney MacDonald said he intended to introduce laws aimed at impeding health care worker industrial action. The current labour contract expires in March of 2008.
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A Seattle, Washington paramedic suffered internal injuries Sunday after being hit while fixing a flat tire at roadside. The Seattle Times (May 21) said practitioner David C. Marston, 32, was in satisfactory condition in hospital Sunday. In addition to internal injuries, he also suffered a broken arm. Police said Marston was hit after laying flares around his vehicle at about 1:30 a.m. A 24-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
AUSTRALIA NEWS
** Melbourne ambulance brass are investigating a Saturday incident in which paramedics were allowed into a shooting scene before the area had been secured by police. The Daily Telegraph (May 21) quoted Metropolitan Ambulance Service operations manager Paul Holman as saying practitioners were permitted on site after police gave the OK. The incident, which involved a husband shooting his wife before turning the gun on himself, played out before police knew the fate of the gunman. Holman said the incident resulted from miscommunication relating to an unknown source.
** The EMS union representing Queensland paramedics is calling on the Emergency Services Minister to hire 750 more prehospital workers between now and 2010. ABC (May 16) quoted Miscellaneous Workers Union state secretary Ron Monagan as saying a crisis meeting with the politico is needed by May 25. Monagan cited both ambulance station closures and student run EMS stations as factors.
