Ambulance Victoria can learn from the leadership of Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins, who last week called out the Prime Ministers’ lack of leadership and failure to use his power to protect parliamentary staff within the workplace.
VEOHRC has validated known power imbalances within AV. Imbalances which VEOHRC says arise in part from the organisation’s history as a male-dominated workforce and the reliance on hierarchical command and control systems.
The experience of many women within AV is that their contributions and experiences have been downplayed, ignored and dismissed.
Most concerning of all is that little has changed. The AV Exec may claim that they have only had 2 months since the well-orchestrated review was released. In reality though, they have had over 15 months since the report was commissioned. Yet still today we are dealing with the same issues of policies and procedures not being adhered to and basic rights not afforded. AV did not need a review to at least start the process of addressing these fundamental flaws.
What is becoming clear is that AV cannot be trusted on their own with driving a cultural change that makes a difference. Those at the Exec level have their own reputations and careers to protect so there is effectively a conflict of interest given the role some of them played in the cultural demise.
The power to force change rests with the employees. As a union it is our responsibility to empower, and where necessary be the voice for those who have been disadvantaged by employers as a whole, but particularly AV in the current circumstances.
Soon we will talk more about how you can be involved and become part of the movement that challenge’s AV to move beyond committees and working groups, to being an organisation that values the contributions of every single employee and treats everyone fairly, respectfully and with accountability and transparency.
AV – RECRUITMENT
Recently AV distributed an email to a few staff detailing failures in recruitment. We know many of you have been impacted by AV’s recruitment failures but just as importantly is the fact that AV’s failures been used to create the “boys club”. Without those failures the “boys club” culture would not survive. And yet those who oversaw these recruitment practices again dodge accountability.
You can read more about AV’s admission and the flawed processes HERE.
Update – AEAV officials and members attended a meeting with AV COO Libby Murphy on Monday afternoon to discuss the impact of the admission by AV and the retraction of offers. Although the decision of AV will not change, this was an opportunity for impacted staff to explain the harm caused by AV failing to adhere to policies and procedures. To support the campaign for better recruitment practices at AV you can contact us on 9287 1713 and leave a message or email us HERE
NEPT – RAT DUPLICATION
Some of our NEPT members have been asked to perform RAT’s at the commencement of their shift as well as when they arrive on shift at some nursing homes. The Dept of Health has provided guidelines which negate the need for duplication of the tests.
If you are experiencing this issue please let us know at [email protected]
AV – SURGE WORKFORCE – RESPONSE FROM HEALTH MINISTER
Today the AEAV received the Health Minister’s response to the letter we wrote on 24 December 2021 with ideas of how to reduce the impact of the surge workforce on operational paramedics. Apart from it taking over 7 weeks to reply, we found the response to be devoid of any understanding of the impact.
To read the letter and our views on the response click HERE.
AV – THIRD VAX NOTIFICATION ON KIOSK
On Friday AV informed staff that the date for 3rd vaccinations has been extended to 12 March 2022.
If you haven’t uploaded the details yet AV is asking that you do so as soon as possible.
AV – VEOHRC OUTCOMES IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
AV extended the date for staff representatives to apply to be a part of the VEOHRC outcomes steering committee to 14 February. In the first meeting on 31 January we raised concerns about the onerous requirements of the application. AV responded to this and as a result there was an increase in applications.
Good luck to our members who submitted EOI’s.
AV – MEDIA RELEASE RE ADDITIONAL FUNDING
On 4 February the Victorian Goverment announced some additional funding for ambulance services. Although the majority of the announcement was just a continuation of what is already in place, there were a couple of aspects of concern to our members.
To read AEAVs full release and views on the surge workforce and the privatisation of a non-clinical transport service click HERE.
AEAV MEMBERS ACCESS TO FREE WILL KITS
A reminder to our members that your membership entitles you to a free will kit with Maurice Blackburn to the value of $399. To read more about this offer click HERE.
JOKE OF THE WEEK
An elderly couple are in church. The wife leans over and whispers to her husband, “I just let out a long, silent fart. What should I do?”
The husband replies, “First off, replace the batteries in your hearing aid!”
KEEP IN TOUCH
As always, if you have any issues, questions or queries, get in touch by leaving a message on 9287 1713 or email [email protected]
