At the same time as Toronto Mayor David Miller was publicly releasing the city’s latest offer to Locals 416 and 79 on July 10, paramedics who work for Toronto EMS were announcing their plan to make sure the public knows they are part of the city-wide strike.
- Charles, CUPE 79’s picket line troubadour (YouTube)
- Paramedics announce t-shirt campaign (photos)
- Steelworker solidarity barbecue (photos)
The medics, who belong to Local 416, will begin tomorrow to wear black t-shirts with the slogan “paramedics on strike” instead of their regulation shirts. Local 416 and the city of Toronto have an essential services agreement that requires staffing levels be maintained at about 75%.
Meanwhile, the two locals have submitted counter offers to the city. They say they will not join the city in bargaining through the media.
Earlier in the week, the Steelworkers Toronto council held a solidarity barbeque at Nathan Phillips Square in front of city hall for picketers and their families. Solidarity activities continue next week with an OPSEU picket at city hall on Monday, barbeques sponsored by CUPE 4400, CAW and the Toronto Professional Firefighters’ Association at various picket lines on Wednesday, and a CAW picket on Thursday.