INTENSIVE care paramedics have resigned en masse outside the Premier’s office, warning any resulting deaths are on his head. The state’s mobile intensive care ambulance paramedics are in a deadlock with the State Government over pay and have invited John Brumby to join them for a shift to experience life on the streets. After months of negotiations, the state’s 300 MICA paramedics have taken the unprecedented step of leaving hundreds of their resignation letters and shoulder insignias outside the Premier’s office in the city this morning. The resignations will take effect from early September with MICA paramedics returning to normal ambulance duties – unable to perform intensive care services for heart attack or car crash victims on site. MICA paramedics face a $6000 fine for talking to the media, but one officer said the Brumby government had treated MICA workers with contempt and that its false promises were putting lives at risk. “This has been an ongoing issue since 2006 … we have acted in good faith but they have let us down,” he said. MICA paramedics undergo advanced training after gaining their degree to become qualified, but are paid just $5000 a year more than regular paramedics. The government’s $21.50 a week pay offer has been branded as an insult and a long way short of the $100 a week pay rise recommended by Ambulance Victoria. Shadow Health Minister Helen Shardey said negotiations have been ongoing for a year and should have been completed long ago. “I have spoken with paramedics right across Victoria in many country towns and they are working long hours, putting their own lives and, they believe, their patients’ lives at risk,” Ms Shardey said. “There is something very wrong with a government that cannot negotiate with paramedics who we depend upon to protect Victorians.” http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,,25890856-2862,00.html

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