Money for Judges but not Paramedics?

TORONTO - Bargaining between the province and its crown agency paramedics will go to conciliation after contract talks broke off yesterday.

OPSEU broke off the talks because the government refused to offer more than a 4.3% wage increase over three years and recognize the right to contract arbitration. "The recent generous settlement for paramedics in Toronto shows just how unrealistic their position is," said OPSEU bargaining team chair Gord Armes. "The government created this situation. They can’t now ignore paramedics in the rest of Ontario."

"We tried to co-operate at the table," said team member Jamie Ramage, co-chair of the OPSEU Ambulance Division. "We offered to accept a shorter contract term if they would agree to job guarantees and the right to arbitration but they rejected it completely."

"If conciliation fails, I think you can expect some sort of job action by us," said Armes.

The union will now file notice to bargaining essential services, required by law in the event of a strike.

OPSEU president Leah Casselman was furious at the employer’s actions. "They can give judges a 45% raise and cabinet minister advisors a 30% raise but they tell paramedics who actually save peoples’ lives, ‘you’re only worth 4.3% over three years.’ The government’s priorities are all wrong," she said.

Casselman wants the government to account for the funds to cover these pay increases. "I’d like to know where this sudden excess of cash came from. This spring they told us they couldn’t afford to give our members in the Ontario Public Service more than 4.3%. If they’ve found new money, they should share the wealth with all of their employees."

OPSEU represents 1,400 paramedics employed by 48-crown agency ambulance operators across Ontario.

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For Further Information: Bill Trbovich 416-561-5613/793-0092

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