Striking ambulance workers in Grand Falls, NB have reached an agreement with their employer and the province that will bring their four-month strike to an end. The 17 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), members of CUPE Local 4356, had been on the picket lines since February 17.
Meanwhile, EMTs in Perth-Andover are vowing to stay off work until the province and service operator Raymond Durepos address unsafe staffing levels (EMTs in Perth insist that their service should provide 24 hour coverage. This is already the case in Grand Falls). The 10 EMTs, members of CUPE Local 4226, have been on strike since April 18.
Durepos and Premier Bernard Lord have to stop passing the buck, says CUPE representative Gordon Black. Members of the communities we serve deserve to know that in an emergency, their call will be answered quickly by an EMT who is not exhausted due to overwork and long hours.
A tentative agreement between the EMTs and Durepos was reached in late May. However, the province refused to sign off on the agreement, sending all parties back to the drawing board.
Messages of support can be sent to Local 4226 by calling or faxing (506) 273-6369.