FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 25, 2002

Brant Paramedics wages falling behind neighbours

Paramedics working for the County of Brant are seeking wage parity with neighbouring paramedical units to put a stop to experienced staff leaving the local service.

The 40 Brant paramedics, members of OPSEU Local 256, are paid $20.41 an hour, compared to $24.42 in Kitchener Waterloo, where paramedics perform the same service and have the same training. Pay rates across the province have risen due to a shortage of trained paramedics. Paramedic wages still trail those of firefighters and police officers by a substantial amount.

Local paramedics and their union respectfully dispute claims that wage demands will stand in the way of staffing a new vehicle.

The County actually proposed a raise in 2001, but this offer was rescinded when the service became unionized. "Most ambulance services gave paramedics a raise in 2001. If we had received a raise in 2001 it would have reduced the wage increase and retro pay that our members are now asking for," said Dale Vining of the bargaining committee.

Brant paramedics are bargaining a first contract retroactive to August 29, 2000, when the current service began operation. Staff voted 90 per cent to reject the County's latest contract offer, despite the bargaining team's recommendation of acceptance.

The municipal funding for the service is 50 per cent, of which 73 per cent is paid by the City of Brantford, and 27 per cent by Brant County which operates the service.

"Whatever resources or lack of resources are given us, the public can be assured that Brant paramedics will continue to provide the public with the best care that we can," Vining said.

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For further information:

Dale Vining 519-752-9878
Wayne Buckley 519-751-1479, Tracey Emmons 519-720-0139