News Releases    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 7, 2003

Paramedics in Hamilton remain as separate bargaining unit, OLRB rules

HAMILTON – A historic ruling today by the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) will create a separate bargaining unit for Hamilton paramedics.

Approximately 18 months ago, the OLRB ruled that one union would represent all employees of the City of Hamilton, including the paramedics, after the city amalgamated. Five different unions and associations formerly represented City employees, including CUPE, OPSEU and the Amalgamated Transit Union.

Today’s ruling was the result of intense lobbying to ensure that the unique and demanding work performed by paramedics would be distinctly recognized during the collective bargaining process.

“Paramedics need a strong voice to make sure that our concerns are heard,” said Mario Posteraro, a paramedic in Hamilton and president of Local 256, representing over 200 paramedics in Hamilton and Brant County. “We also want to be represented by the union that has always represented us, and that union is OPSEU.”

Paramedics had worked over the past 18 months to sway the previous decision of the OLRB. Hamilton city councilors were receptive to the idea that the paramedics should have their concerns dealt with separately from other employees in the city.

“We are extremely pleased with today’s decision,” Posteraro said. “We know that we have day to day issues that other employees in the city do not, and we did not feel it was fair to them or us to be lumped together as one during contract talks. This decision puts us on equal footing with other emergency services in Hamilton such as police and firefighters, giving us a separate table to deal with issues specific to our profession.”

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Mario Posteraro (905) 730-2922
Ed Ogibowski, OPSE