The map below shows the present state of bargaining rights across Ontario. These rights are still unresolved in the striped areas. In some cases, paramedics from many different services are being brought together under one new employer. Paramedics across the province are fighting to stay with OPSEU. In every case we have argued that all existing paramedics should be hired by the new employer; that there should be a separate bargaining unit for paramedics, that seniority should be recognized and integrated and that paramedics should have a say about their bargaining agent. Here are just a few examples of our successes and battles in progress:

• Halton Region - The province handed ambulance service to the Region in mid-August. Even though we had no successor rights, we entered into transition discussions with the Region and emerged with voluntary recognition for all the paramedics. On Aug. 16 paramedics gained their own bargaining unit, the bargaining agent of their choice and a collective agreement ready for ratification (including binding interest arbitration and competitive wage increases).

• Brant County - On Oct. 16, the OLRB awarded OPSEU bargaining rights for paramedics in their own unit. CUPE had argued to have full-time paramedics in an outside workers unit, and part-timers in a non-union unit.

• Bruce County - Once OPSEU applied to the OLRB on behalf of the bases being taken over by the County, we reached an agreement for a stand-alone paramedics unit. OPSEU is the bargaining agent and the unit is preparing for first contract negotiations.

• Hamilton - Paramedics there were formerly crown employees, and had no successor rights. CUPE claimed the group after the city took over Aug. 1, but the paramedics voted overwhelmingly for OPSEU. The City agreed to recognize CUPE, which forced a certification application. OLRB hearings continue.

• Middlesex County - The paramedics under Thames EMS are in one bargaining unit and have negotiated a new collective agreement. They re-certified with OPSEU when their service went to a holding company. OPSEU negotiated voluntary recognition with the successful bidder.

• Grey County - We are in negotiations with Owen Sound and the Firefighters Association for an agreement that OPSEU continue to represent Owen Sound paramedics until OLRB hearings determine whether they fall into the Firefighters’ bargaining unit.

• Northumberland County - Lakeshore Ambulance, represented by OPSEU, has won the contract for the entire County, bringing a former CUPE hospital unit at Campbellford into our unit. OPSEU has agreed to dovetail their seniority, and that of previously non-union county paramedics.

• Lanark County - The new provider is Almonte General Hospital, where OPSEU represents paramedics in a bargaining unit with other classifications. CUPE has made a successor rights application. We are seeking a paramedics only unit and a vote.

• French River - The existing provider won the contract. We have taken the position that our representation rights and contract continue.

Now that downloading has eliminated central bargaining for our sector, a priority of the Ambulance Division is to maintain our bargaining strength and to build on what we have accomplished over the years.

We are asking all OPSEU paramedical units to adopt a strategy of co-ordinated bargaining. To the greatest extent possible, we should seek common expiry dates, table common demands and try to achieve common language.

On Jan. 20, the Ambulance Division Executive adopted the following resolutions:

• That individual bargaining units adopt as minimum demands the language and benefits of the most recent central agreement. When language or benefits above this minimum is accomplished it should be communicated immediately to the Division and become the new minimum demand.

• That the Ambulance Division Executive recommend to all bargaining units that wage demands equal or surpass the provincial Fire Fighter average as laid out in the central demands.