Paramedics call for new union reps

Ambulance workers say the Health Services Union is a problem and they don't want to be forced to join.

Carrying placards with the slogan 'Freedom of Choice, Give us a Voice', more than 100 off-duty ambulance workers have called to be permitted to seek industry-specific industrial representation.

Currently paramedics can call on only the HSU as their official union representatives.

However, as the union has become engulfed in scandal in recent years, many ambulance workers have ended their membership and joined the fledgling Emergency Medical Service Protection Association (EMSPA).

But EMPSA spokesman Wayne Flint says that because the union is not industrially registered paramedics have been left without a voice.

'The HSU is a problem, we don't want to be a part of it,' Mr Flint told reporters on Tuesday.

'We haven't had good representation from the HSU in our view, and paramedics as the most trusted profession deserve a voice.'

A bill that would give EMSPA industrial registration is stuck in the NSW Upper House, where the coalition, Labor and minor parties are unable to agree on proposed amendments.

NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner has called for the amendments to be passed before the start of parliament's winter recess this week.

'The whole point of our legislation is to give freedom of choice to people about what union they should have represent them,' Ms Skinner told the rally.

A report commissioned by the HSU and conducted by Ian Temby QC on April 30 found the HSU East branch awarded $17 million of dodgy tenders and had no credit-card policies.

Eastern branches of the HSU were last week placed into administration and its officers suspended by a Federal Court judge.

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