Ornge service will continue despite labour issues with paramedics
Ontario's air ambulance service Ornge has said it's committed to serving patients without disruption as labour strife with its paramedics continues
Unifor, which represents Ornge workers, says paramedics voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, if necessary. A union spokesman said Ornge paramedics fall under the Ambulance Services Collective Bargaining Act (CBA), so an essential service agreement must be in place before any strike or lockout.
Unifor says the two sides are awaiting a date to meet with the Ontario Labour Relations Board to mediate an essential service agreement. Paramedics have taken issue over a provincial law that came into effect in 2019, which caps public sector wage increases to one per cent per year.
Committed to ensuring essential service to patients continues
Ornge commented on the events: “Working alongside our frontline pilots, communications officers and physicians, our paramedics have been playing a critical role during the provincial Covid emergency, and we are fiercely proud of their many contributions to the healthcare system at this difficult time.
“As the paramedic collective bargaining agreement expired on 31 July 2020, the Ornge and Unifor bargaining committees have worked earnestly and in good faith to renew the CBA. Recently, the two parties reached a tentative agreement that was recommended unanimously for ratification. This tentative agreement conformed with the provisions of Bill 124 as required. We were disappointed to learn that the membership voted against ratification.
“We believe that both Ornge and Unifor are committed to ensuring Ornge’s essential service to patients will continue without disruption. In the days ahead, we will be engaging in discussions with the Unifor bargaining committee regarding next steps. Out of respect for this process, it would be inappropriate to comment further. We remain confident that the two parties will work seamlessly toward a fair settlement and resolution to this matter.”
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