FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2000

Media Advisory
Thames EMS Paramedics vote 97 per cent in favour of strike action

LONDON - Paramedics employed by Thames Emergency Medical Services yesterday voted 97 per cent in favour of strike action to back their current contract demands. Thames EMS provides service to London, Strathroy, Parkhill, Glencoe and Lucan.

John Rinehart, a London paramedic and member of the Local 147 negotiating team, said that his members are behind the team and he hopes that the contract is settled without job action.

“We want to ensure that Middlesex County continues to get the professional service it deserves,” Rinehart said. “Job security is a key issue. The employer also wants to reduce pensions and vacations. Our members and the public deserve better than that.”

Wages are also a contentious issue between the two sides. Currently, paramedics make 38 per cent less than firefighters in the area. The employer broke off talks June 30 without tabling a wage offer.

“Our members pay for their own initial training, and must re-certify every year,” Rinehart said. “High stress, unpredictability and exposure to communicable diseases are just some of the conditions we face daily. Paramedics should have wage parity with fire services. We are both in the business of protecting the public. Our primary focus is saving lives.”

Peter Wilson, also a member of the negotiating team, fears that experienced paramedics will leave the area if the wage issue is not addressed.

“We’ve already seen it happen with nurses and teachers,” Wilson said. “With cost of education and training, paramedics will not work for bargain-basement wages. The county will simply not be able to attract and keep quality people.”

-30-

 For more information: 

John Rhinehart (519) 659-6097
Peter Wilson (519) 245-5191
Virgery Vanier (800) 263-7306