Region of Peel, Brampton: Negotiations
have broken down for 350 paramedics,
members of Local 277, at the Region of
Peel. The Paramedics provide Emergency
Medical Services to the municipalities
of Caledon, Brampton and Mississauga.
Negotiators for the Ontario Public
Service Employees Union, representing
350 unionized paramedics at Region of
Peel, were unable to come to an
agreement with the employer. Services
such as Durham and Toronto are paid
approximately 17 per cent more than the
Region of Peel Paramedics.
"No call, patient or scene is ever the
same. SARS highlighted the risks we
encounter as frontline health care
workers. We deliver high quality patient
care, by bringing the emergency room to
you now. We treat your loved ones in
their homes and on the way to hospital,"
said Local President Michael Donnelly
about the range of skills and treatments
paramedics can provide as either a
Primary or Advanced Care Paramedic.
OPSEU members are determined to secure a
collective agreement that will address
the physical and mental stresses they
encounter when treating patients under
challenging and demanding working
conditions.
"We will continue to respond to the
urgent needs of the injured and ill
residents of the Region of Peel without
placing anyone in jeopardy. However, we
want Peel Region to negotiate a fair
contract settlement with our workers,"
said Local President Michael Donnelly.
Members have been working without a
contract since April 2007.
The employer and the union are
proceeding to binding arbitration that
will be scheduled in the near future.
-30-
Background
Fact: Paramedics are deployed out of 13
ambulance stations located through out
the cities of Mississauga, Brampton and
the Town of Caledon. At peak times 32
ambulances are in service to cover a
population of over approximately 1.1
million and geographical area of 1225
square kilometers.
Fact: Paramedics work 12-hour shifts
that provide emergency medical coverage
365 days a year and 7 days of the week.
Fact: Paramedics are initially trained
as Primary Care Paramedics. Advanced
Care Paramedics require an extra year of
intensive in-house training to provide a
range of out-of-hospital interventions
treating medical conditions in the
field.
Photo/ interview opportunities are
available upon request
