Paramedics to rally at City Hall

NEWS RELEASE
UNIFOR LOCAL 1359
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Unifor Local 1359 is requesting the support of citizens of Sault Ste. Marie as well as the support of all our sisters and brothers in the labour movement. We need full participation at an information rally taking place, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 at Sault Ste. Marie City Hall at 3:30 p.m.

Unifor Local 1359 represents 54 paramedics that work in the EMS Division of Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services who have been in bargaining with the City of Sault Ste. Marie since early spring of last year. 

The contract has expired effective March of 2017 and we have reached an impasse with the employer. On Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017 the membership voted 93 per cent in favour of supporting strike action if a fair and respectful deal with the city wasn’t reached.

The parties will be meeting the conciliation officer on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Hopefully the conciliation officer can help the parties reach a negotiated agreement and that services will not be affected in the future, if not the EMS-Emergency Medical Services-Paramedics will be on strike and Emergency Medical Services will be impacted!

Paramedics bring tremendous dedication, skill and commitment to their jobs as first responders. Paramedics are the highest medical authority on all pre-hospital medical emergencies and are frequently called upon to perform live saving skills from the point of patient contact until the transfer of care at the receiving medical facility. 

We need the City of Sault Ste. Marie to come to the bargaining table with a mandate to get an agreement that our committee can recommend and bring to the membership to ratify. It's time we recognize our SSMEMS-Paramedics First Responders!

Help us send a strong message to Sault Ste. Marie City Council that our paramedics want and deserve a fair contract. Meet us at City Hall, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 at 3:30 p.m.

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