Unifor calls on City of Thunder Bay to break impasse to avoid paramedic strike

THUNDER BAY, ON, April 10, 2021 /CNW/ - Unifor is calling on the City of Thunder Bay to break the impasse in contract negotiations to avoid a paramedic strike just hours away at midnight.

"Our bargaining committee believes that an agreement is within reach but city negotiators are refusing to drop a demand for frontline paramedics to cover supervisor managerial work, taking them away from patient duties and leaving citizens vulnerable with fewer available ambulances," said Rob Moquin, Unit Chair for Unifor Local 39-11 City Paramedics.  "We're appealing to Mayor Bill Mauro to put patients first and for city negotiators to come back to the bargaining table today to reach a fair settlement before the strike deadline."  

The 108 Superior North Emergency Medical Services (SNEM) paramedics, members of Unifor Local 39-11, have been working without a contract for more than a year.  Negotiations to renew the collective agreement are down to the wire, with a looming strike deadline of 12:01 a.m. Sunday April 11, 2021.

"These are frontline COVID heroes who go above and beyond daily, in a job made even more difficult this past year. They want to continue to serve their community but without action by the city, strike action may be inevitable," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor