FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 10, 2002
OPSEU wins union representation vote over CAW
More than 85 per cent of Oxford County ambulance workers have chosen the Ontario Public Service Employees Union over the Canadian Auto Workers in a representation vote for the new countywide ambulance service.
“This vote reaffirms that OPSEU is the union for paramedics in Ontario,” said Jamie Ramage, chair of the OPSEU Ambulance Division. “The members recognized our record of 30 years of fighting for quality emergency services.”
The OPSEU Ambulance Division has lobbied hard to create stand-alone bargaining units for paramedics across the province.
“Like police officers and fire fighters, ambulance paramedics provide critical emergency services,” said Ramage. “Our issues are unique to the service we provide. We have always maintained that they should be negotiated separately from those of other municipal workers.”
The Oxford County ambulance service provides emergency services to Woodstock, Tillsonburg, Ingersoll and surrounding areas. The new service was created Jan. 1, 2002 when the county took over operation of ambulance services from the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital ambulance service, represented by the CAW, and Woodstock
Ambulance, Ltd., represented by OPSEU.
OPSEU President Leah Casselman said the union, which represents more than 25,000 Ontario health care workers, is determined to remain in the forefront of protecting health services in the province.
- 30 -
For further information:
Jamie Ramage, OPSEU Ambulance Division: (905) 774-9483
Connie Huziak, OPSEU Organizing Unit: (416) 788-9245
