Toronto – OPSEU says the decision today by the Ontario government to reverse its discriminatory demerit points policy for ambulance paramedics doesn’t go far enough.

OPSEU president Leah Casselman called the decision a good start that still falls short of the mark. "We still have six people unemployed because of that regulation and we want those folks reinstated with full compensation."

In February, the government amended the Ontario Ambulance Act so that paramedics who accumulate a minimum of six demerit points on their driving record were considered unqualified to do their job. Six OPSEU paramedics have lost their jobs since this policy was implemented. Today’s decision to reverse the policy doesn’t change the employment situation for these members because they can’t reapply for their jobs with the six demerit points on their driving record. "This is a crazy argument," said Casselman, "they’ve been affected by a government decision, that decision has been reversed and the actions taken against them should also be reversed."

OPSEU was the only union to conduct a campaign to demand that the government reverse this policy and reinstate all of the fired paramedics. Members of OPSEU’s ambulance division generated public awareness by gathering more than five thousand signatures on a petition supporting these demands. The public pressure created by this campaign and the support from both of Ontario’s ambulance operator’s associations had an impact on today’s decision.

The government has said the reinstatement of the fired paramedics is in the hands of their employers. Ambulance division members will meet Sunday to decide on what action they can be take if the government refuses to move on this issue. Division chairperson Gord Armes said, " today’s decision is only half way to our goal and the members will have to decide on what we can do to reach that goal, anything is possible."

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For further information: Bill Trbovich 416-561-5613/793-0092

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