ACT paramedics and the Transport Workers' Union are calling for better working conditions. 

The ACT Ambulance Service, backed by the Transport Workers' Union (TWU), has held a protest to call for an improved rostering system, as well as more support from the Emergency Services Agency ESA and better working conditions.

Paramedics have been facing long night shifts with very little support and a faulty communication system, leading more than half of Canberra's 220 paramedics to join the TWU's campaign.

The group has moved a vote of no confidence in Emergency Services Commissioner Georgeina Whelan.

Paramedics say their safety is at risk and the current rostering is causing harm to workers, leaving them exhausted after long shifts,and causing some to nearly fall asleep on the way home.

Commissioner Whelan says the ACT is working on a new roster that would deliver increased paramedic wellbeing and adequate staffing.

“It will deliver a roster system that will address the demands of what is a growing ACT community, but [it] will also address training, fatigue, welfare and the wellbeing of our paramedics,” she said.

“This type of roster will be the only one of its kind in Australia.”

But rostering is just one of the concerns raised by paramedics.

The Transport Workers' Union says a recent overhaul of the communications centre had failed.

“The one ComCen program has lagged for seven years and delivered nothing other than a change in uniforms,” a spokesperson said.

“The ComCen, unfortunately, in doing 5,000 jobs on average a month, is a rudderless ship lost at sea in a fog.”

Commissioner Whelan said she was disappointed by the unanimous vote of no confidence.

“As you can imagine, I'm very disappointed that there would be a vote of no confidence, but I will continue to do what I have always done, which is work with the chief of ambulance to ensure we have a safe and capable ambulance service,” she said.

“The paramedics that work with me day in and day out know what commitment I have made to this agency and to their service, and I stand by the work I've contributed to date.

“I have nothing but respect and gratitude for the hard work that paramedics do put in here in the ACT 24/7.

“I too am a recipient of the services that an ambulance provides, and I remain grateful as a citizen of this community – as I do as the commissioner – for what they do day in and day out.”