FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 2, 2001

Ottawa-Carleton paramedics choose OPSEU

TORONTO – Ambulance paramedics in Ottawa-Carleton have voted overwhelmingly to be represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

Of the 218 who voted Feb. 1, 210 chose OPSEU – 97 per cent support.

The 266 ambulance paramedics had previously belonged to OPSEU when they worked directly for the provincial government. They were downloaded to the municipality Jan. 1, prompting the certification vote.

Keith Dykes, president of OPSEU Local 413, said the vote reflected a sense that ambulance paramedics would be better able to address their specific issues as their own bargaining unit, rather than being wrapped into the Canadian Union of Public Employees with the rest of Ottawa’s municipal workers.

"We think we will be able to provide a better service to the public this way," Dykes said. "We have been working on this transition for more than three years. The first effort was to make sure we kept the ambulance service in the public sector, which meant convincing the city to take it over. The next step was keeping our own bargaining unit so we can address problems which are specific to ambulance work."

The Ontario Labour Relations Board has scheduled a hearing for Feb. 26 to determine whether the ambulance paramedics will retain their separate bargaining unit represented by OPSEU or whether they will be folded into the city’s CUPE bargaining unit.

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For further information:

Katie FitzRandolph (OPSEU Communications) (416) 448-7440; home (416) 967-5964;

e-mail: kfitzrandolph@opseu.org