Ambulance Division

April 12, 2013 All OPSEU paramedics are asked to complete a questionnaire on the HPRAC website regarding a proposed regulatory college. The OPSEU Ambulance Division counsels against the establishment of such a regulatory Body. more...

March 11, 2012 The Ambulance Division has been directed to oppose the formation of a regulatory college by a majority of the approximately 2100 paramedics we represent. more...

February 8, 2013 Sudden cardiac arrest occurs every 12 minutes in Canada. The survival rate is approximately 6 per cent without immediate intervention. more...

November 26, 2012 OPSEU Local 462 (Frontenac Paramedics and Kingston Ambulance Communication Officers) invites you to make a donation towards their “Fill an Ambulance” event. more...

August 7, 2012 OPSEU Ambulance division want to remind you that insect bites and stings can be more than just a pain. more...

June 6, 2012 OPSEU Paramedics in the Region of Peel are calling on the Region to treat unionized workers fairly to end two strikes with CUPE 966 and ensure citizens can access life-sustaining and life-saving services. more...

May 16, 2012 In December 2011, OPSEU Local 505 initiated a grievance regarding the hiring of non-OPSEU employees to perform the duties of Communication Officers. more...

April 16, 2012 OPSEU Local 462 President, Terry Baker met with Hamilton Township representative to discuss the township’s tier-emergency response agreement. more…

March 2, 2012 Over 100 paramedics from Local 303 in Simcoe County held a flashmob on Thursday morning calling for a fair contract. more...

January 20, 2012 On the 16th of January, 2012 we suddenly lost a wonderful friend, co-worker and long time union supporter. Larry Shaw, aged 61, passed away after a brief illness. Larry was a member of OPSEU Local 147. more...

December 9, 2011 The Ambulance Divisional Executive meeting included planning next steps for a formal response to OPFFA initiatives as well as plans for a new campaign, “Paramedics make the difference”. more...

November 30, 2011 Effective 2012, it is law for all members of a Regulated Health Profession to carry Professional Liability Insurance. OPSEU has, in consultation with CG&B Insurance Group, arranged for our affected members an opportunity to get insurance at a discounted rate. more..

August 19, 2011 The outcome of this election may determine your future workload, your family’s access to health care, the hours you work, who you work for, or whether you will have a job at all. The Community Health Care Professionals election primer looks at the party promises, the issues, offers helpful suggestions on what you can do, and gives sample questions for all-candidate meetings.

Printed copies of the 11” x 17” Election Primer are being sent to each local. You can also download it here. more...

May 16, 2011 Whether you answer a 911 call for help or respond to an emergency in a time of need, EMS week is an opportunity to celebrate the important contribution of ambulance workers. It is an opportunity for communities to recognize our work, dedication and commitment. more...

December 20, 2010 In October, OPSEU Local 505 stood up to a bad employer and filed a complaint with the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) arguing discrimination, intimidation and targeting of union activists at Ornge. more...

OPSEU local files Labour Board complaint against Ornge

October 13, 2010 OPSEU Local 505 has filed a complaint with the Ontario Labour Board arguing discrimination, intimidation and targeting of union activists at Ornge. more…

Ontario Emergency Medical Services

October 5, 2010 Ontario Emergency Medical Services guidance notes are intended to assist Emergency Medical Services (EMS) employers, supervisors, workers and joint health and safety committees by explaining the minimum requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations and promoting “accepted practices” in EMS to protect the health and safety of EMS personnel. more…

May 14, 2010 To help mark EMS Week, Jamie Ramage, Chair of the OPSEU Ambulance Division has sent the following message to the members he represents. more...

April 1, 2010 Patty Rout, First Vice-President / Treasurer delivers message today at the Ontario Legislature on Bill 236, An Act to amend the Pensions Benefit Act. more...

March 26, 2010 With OPSEU paramedics looking on, Cheri DiNovo, MPP Parkdale-High Park, presented the first reading of private member’s Bill 11, Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), on March 23, 2010. more...

Simcoe County Paramedics Petition Campaign

September 1, 2009 In the late 1990s paramedic services were divested to Simcoe County. Although jobs were reassigned, pensions were not! Unfortunately this has resulted in significantly reduced pensions, as Simcoe County paramedics’ years of credited service have not been recognized. Visit our campaign web page.

UPDATE

Essex County Paramedic Vote – November 18-19, 2008

November 4, 2008 On Nov. 18-19, you will have the opportunity to choose OPSEU as your union. more…

Calling all paramedics

OPSEU open house on September 29 & 30 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (both days) at the Caesar Windsor – Saturni Room.

Paramedics rally in Toronto

On April 17, 2008, as the OMERS Sponsors Corporation met inside, paramedics from OPSEU, CUPE, SEIU and CAW rallied for fair pensions at University Avenue and Front Street. Paramedics from across Ontario are campaigning to have the same pension rights as other emergency services workers including police and fire. Photo: Rick Janson.

Paramedics from local 207 treat thousands
in Guatemala

March 4, 2008 Halton Region paramedics report on their medical service in Guatemala this month with FTC Canada. Read about their journey on the blog at: www.ftccanadateams.blogspot.com

More background at: http://www.opseu.org/bps/health/ambulance/jan2007guatemala.htm

Paramedics launch campaign for pension fairness

February 15, 2008 In a joint campaign, OPSEU, along with CUPE, CAW and SEIU, are asking Ontario municipalities to support changes to the OMERS pension plan to allow more than 5,000 Ontario paramedics the same pension rights as police and firefighters. more...

Halton Paramedics making a difference in Central America

January 22, 2008 OPSEU Paramedics from Local 207, Halton, are bringing their skills and care to help children in Central America. More...

Air Ambulance Dispatch Centre professionals ratify deal

September 7, 2007 Air ambulance dispatchers and staff at the Infectious Control Centre based in Toronto have a ratified their first collective agreement.

The 71 full-time and part-time members of OPSEU Local 545 work for the new non- profit organization called ORNGE.

Union members are responsible for the dispatch of helicopters to highway accidents, and coordination of organ retrieval flights, as well as infectious disease screening (including SARS) for all inter-hospital patient transfer services and Critical Care Land Ambulance transfer in Ontario.

These workers were divested from the Ontario Public Service in 2006 and began bargaining in June 2007. Union members had voted 95 per cent Aug. 17 in favour of strike action if their demands for a fair collective agreement were not met.

“The workers at ORNGE, through their solidarity, have achieved an excellent first contract, and look forward to providing a high quality of service to Ontarians,” said OPSEU negotiator Mark Kotanen.

Talks stall for Peel paramedics

August 28, 2007 Negotiations have broken down for 350 paramedics, members of Local 277, at the Region of Peel. More..

Tentative deal signed at Air Ambulance Dispatch Centre

August 28, 2007 Toronto: Air ambulance dispatchers and staff at the Infectious Control Centre based in Toronto have a tentative agreement which would avert a strike set for Sept. 11. more...

Air Ambulance Dispatch Centre could strike Sept. 11

August 23, 2007 Toronto: Air ambulance dispatchers and staff at the Infectious Control Centre based in Toronto have asked for a no-board report and could strike Sept. 11. more...

Paramedic wins key human rights case

July 13, 2007 A 17-year veteran Simcoe County paramedic (Local 303) has won a key case at arbitration. The arbitrator ruled that the Human Rights Code could override the requirement in the Ambulance Act regulations that require a paramedic to be legally entitled to drive an ambulance. More.

Ambulance Division updates

March, 2009 Ambulance Division update more...

December, 2008 Ambulance Division update more...

Update February 2007

Update December 2006

Update September 2006

November 28 2006 Letter to Ministry of Labour regarding meal breaks for paramedics, and Regulation under the Employment Standards Act.

Ambulance Division Archive

Health Care: Ambulance Division