FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 10, 2005
Union at Ontario Patient Transfer prepares
to bargain first contract
NIAGARA
REGION: The union at the first-ever
unionized private patient transfer service
has elected a bargaining team and is
preparing to bargain a first contract at
Ontario Patient Transfer (OPT) Niagara.
The 35
Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local
267 members based in Welland will attempt to
gain better working conditions when they
negotiate with the employer on Sept. 13, 19,
20 and 22.
Earlier this
year, the workers, who earn about $11/hour
to transport patients, dealing with every
hospital in the Niagara region, voted 100
per cent to join OPSEU. "We appreciate all
the solidarity and support from other OPSEU
members. Now our goal is to reach a first
collective agreement," said Steve McIntyre,
chair of the bargaining team.
The OPT staff
includes trained firefighters, paramedics,
EMCA, certified EMT service workers and
graduates of the Emergency First Responders
program. "Our most important goal is to
reach a deal that includes a fair and
accessible set of rules and policies for
these highly qualified workers from this
employer," said Steve McIntyre, chair of the
bargaining team.
"We are very
excited about the chance to bargain a first
contract that will help provide a stable and
predictable work environment for all of the
staff at OPT," he said.
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For
further information:
Steve
McIntyre, Local 267: 905-295-0008 or
905-321-5903
Or
Virgery
Vanier: Staff negotiator 905-892-5729
