FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2000
Ambulance paramedics ratify
contract
TORONTO -
Paramedics at 41 Ontario crown agent ambulance services have
ratified a new collective agreement with their owner/operators.
“The downloading of responsibility for ambulance service from the
province to the municipalities has thrown the entire system into
chaos,” said Leah Casselman, president of the Ontario Public Service
Employees Union. “This contract prevented concessions and provides
stability for our members during a very difficult transition.”
Under the deal, workers at participating employers will receive job
offers or enhanced severance pay, depending on the circumstances of
the particular transfer. The deal also includes vacation improvements
for older workers.
The two-year contract is retroactive to April 1, 1999. The union
won wage increases of 1.0 per cent retroactive to April 1, 1999, and
1.35 per cent effective April 1, 2000. Those increases are identical
to those received by paramedics currently employed by the Ontario
government.
Ontario municipalities must decide by Sept. 3 whether they will
contract out ambulance services, take over the services themselves, or
negotiate contracts with existing crown agent service providers.
The 1,100 paramedics voted 59 per cent in favour of the new
contract.
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For more information:
Gord Armes (905) 336-7312
Moya Beall (416) 443-8888
Participating Ambulance Services:
Amherstburg, Malden and Anderson Ambulance Service
Chatham and District Ambulance Service
North Lambton Ambulance Service
Hoffman/Dashwood Ambulance Service
Lambton Middlesex Ambulance Service
Wallaceburg Central Ambulance Communication Centre
Petrolia & District Ambulance Service
Seaforth Clinton Ambulance Service
North Middlesex Ambulance Service
Woodstock Ambulance Service
District of Halton & Mississauga Ambulance Service
Halton Hills Ambulance Service
Lee Ambulance Service
Green’s Ambulance Service
Mount Forest Ambulance Service
Royal City Ambulance Service, Fergus
Royal City Ambulance Service, Guelph
Owen Sound Emergency Services
Brant County Ambulance Service
Danver Ambulance Service
Fleetwood Ambulance Service
Superior Ambulance Service
Lindsay and District Ambulance Service
Bolton & District Ambulance Service
Beaverton & District Ambulance Service
Lewis Ambulance Service
Lakeshore Emergency Services
Collingwood & District Ambulance Service
Wasaga Beach Ambulance Service
Bancroft Ambulance Service
Carleton Place/Richmond Ambulance Service
Kanata Ambulance Service
Rockland/Orleans Ambulance Service
City Ambulance Service of Quinte
Ganonoque Provincial Ambulance Service
North Leeds Ambulance Service
Parham Ambulance Service
St. Lawrence Ambulance Service
Noelville Ambulance Service
South River - Machar Ambulance Service
Temagami Ambulance Service
