FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2006
OPSEU achieves
landmark “First Contract” with Parry Sound District EMS
PARRY SOUND – OPSEU has reached
a ground-breaking deal with Parry Sound District Emergency
Medical Services in a first collective agreement for land
ambulance services in the District of Parry Sound. The
negotiations are as a result of the amalgamation of services
formally covered by West Parry Sound, South River/Machar,
Powassan, Burks Falls and the volunteer service in Argyle.
The agreement, covering
paramedics and communications (dispatch) officers in OPSEU
Local 342, will see workers receive substantial wage
increases, up to 52 per cent for paramedics and 73 per cent
for communications officers. There were also improvements to
job security, and gains to shift premiums and meal allowances
in recognition of the 24/7 nature of the work.
“We were able to achieve
considerable gains in almost all important areas over the
previous contracts,” said Don Stewart, OPSEU Negotiator. “Most
importantly, we gained the right for land ambulance employees
to have a separate and distinct agreement from the rest of the
hospital employees.” Stewart was also able to negotiate
parental leave top up for the first time for these members.
In many cases, paramedics and
communications officers are part of the union contract with
hospital service employees, such as maintenance staff and
cleaners. This, Stewart says, limits what you can achieve in
bargaining.
“It is always better for the
employees if you can focus on distinct groups with common
interests in bargaining,” Stewart said. “We must remember that
the increases we achieved in this deal, while seemingly quite
large, bring these employees to a provincial standard that
already exists.”
The 4-year collective agreement
backdates to Apr. 1, 2004 and expires on Dec. 31, 2007.
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For further information:
Don Stewart (705) 238-6255
