TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

Industrial Relations Act 1984
s.29 application for hearing of industrial dispute

Minister Administering the State Service Act 2000
(T12711 of 2006)

and

Health Services Union of Australia, Tasmania No. 1 Branch

Industrial dispute - industrial action concerning the Tasmanian Ambulance Service and the Tasmanian Fire Service - recommendation

RECOMMENDATION

[1] On 3,4 and 7 July 2006 the Commission conducted a hearing, together with various conciliation conferences, in relation to an s.29 dispute notification from the Minister Administering the State Service Act 2000 (the Minister). The subject matter of the notification was stated as "ambulance officers are engaged in industrial action concerning a decision to transfer Road Accident Rescue from the Tasmanian Ambulance Service to the Tasmanian Fire Service".

[2] Mr T Jacobson appeared for the Health Services Union of Australia, Tasmania No. 1 Branch (HSUA) with Mr P Berry; Mr P Baker appeared for the Minister, with Ms J Cox, Ms W Rechberger, Mr J Evans, Mr G O'Keefe and Mr J Gledhill.

[3] At the conclusion of the hearing on 7 July 2006 the Commission stated that it would issue a recommendation in the following terms:

[4] I hereby recommend that the Minister Administering the State Service Act 2000 consider, discuss and respond to the following issues put forward by the HSUA. This is to be done over the period of the next five days:

"The Minister respond to the claim by the HSUA of broken commitments by the Tasmanian Government in relation to the announcement of the Road Accident Rescue Review and the process that was to have taken place prior to the decision to implement it.

Address HSUA members concerns in relation to the loss of Road Accident Rescue Skills over time, and the capacity to provide ongoing supervision of a Road Accident Rescue based on current Road Accident Rescue knowledge and skills etc, and if the knowledge and skills are to be maintained.

Provide details of the model of Urban Road Accident Rescue which will be administered by the Tasmanian Fire Service, including boundaries, response models etc.

Address concerns about the level of training and skills provided to Tasmanian Fire Service officers as opposed to the skills and experience of Tasmanian ambulance officers in the provision of Road Accident Rescue.

Provide details of the Tasmanian Fire Service training regime with regards to Urban Road Accident Rescue equivalent to that of ambulance officers."

[5] To the HSUA:

"I also strongly recommend that the Health Services Union of Australia, Tasmania No. 1 Branch lift all bans and limitations forthwith."

[6] This matter will resume at 9.30 am on Thursday, 13 July 2006; Notice of Hearing attached.

James P McAlpine
COMMISSIONER

Appearances:
Mr T Jacobson for the Health Services Union of Australia, Tasmania No. 1 Branch (HSUA) with Mr P Berry
Mr P Baker for the Minister, with Ms J Cox, Ms W Rechberger, Mr J Evans, Mr G O'Keefe and Mr J Gledhill

Date and Place of Hearing:
2006
July 3,4 and 7
Hobart