"Strikes by ambulance paramedics can be avoided if the government legislates equal treatment for all emergency services", says OPSEU president Leah Casselman. "It’s really very simple: give paramedics the same right to arbitration as firefighters and police".

The strike issue has become a key issue in the ambulance sector as responsibility for ambulance services is downloaded to the municipalities. Municipalities (except the City of Toronto, which already has responsibility for ambulance) have to assume the responsibility by Jan. 1, 2000 or Jan. 1, 2001.

"The right to interest arbitration is in the best interest of the paramedics and the communities they serve," said Casselman. "It will ensure there is no disruption to this vital service and provide meaningful negotiations between the parties."

Firefighters, the police, and hospital workers do not have the right to strike. They settle their bargaining disputes by resorting to a three-person arbitration panel.

Currently, paramedics in Ontario bargain their contracts under different pieces of legislation which give them different rights, depending on whether they work for an ambulance service run by the Ministry of Health, an independent operator, a hospital, or a municipality.

OPSEU is concerned that the downloading will result in chaos in the ambulance sector unless the provincial government puts some rules in place.

"This is an ideal opportunity for the Harris government to legislate the one solution that meets the interests of the paramedics, their employers and the public: the right to interest arbitration," said Casselman.

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For more information:

Brian Mayes 416-443-8888 Ext. 714
Bill Trbovich 416-561-5613

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