BENDIGO paramedics say they are sceptical of the latest pay offer in a long-running industrial dispute.
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The deal, put forward on Thursday, has been criticised for potentially leaving casual workers to take the place of experienced paramedics in regional centres.
The proposal includes an extra six per cent pay for paramedics next year, followed by rises of three per cent a year in 2015 and 2016, as well as a $1500 sign-on bonus.
The ambulance union declared they would not accept the offer.
Ambulance Employees Australia state secretary Steve McGhie said there were a number of conditions set out in the offer that raised concerns.
He said he was opposed to the idea of having casually employed community officers fill in for full-time paramedics in country Victoria.
Bendigo paramedic Brett Adie said the proposal could have consequences for regional areas.
He said if it was introduced it could result in part-time first aid staff from small towns such as Inglewood forced to cover shifts in Bendigo, or other regional centres.
"The first-aiders (community officers) do a good job but they have nowhere near the level of training as paramedics," he said.
Mr Adie said the pay offer was an "insult" and was an attempt to "pull the wool over the eyes of the public".
He said the figures put forward in the pay deal sounded like a good offer but there were many strings attached.
"I’m really sceptical of it," he said.
"We’re looking at what further action we can take now. This has really just ramped it up.
“It’s a really complex argument and they’ve tried to make it really simplistic."
Bendigo paramedic Richard Marchingo said he expected the negotiations to drag out a while longer.
“I think the pay offer is not the problem, it’s the conditions," he said.
"The use of casuals (community officers) in major centres will be a sticking point."
Premier Denis Napthine outlined the proposal in parliament and described it as a "strong deal" for paramedics.
"(This agreement) will deliver fair and reasonable pay increases to these officers," he said.
"This is a fair offer."