CHARLOTTETOWN – The members of CUPE Local 3324 representing Island Paramedics have voted in favor of a new Collective Agreement.
“After negotiations broke down last week, we brought back to our members the offer we had received from Island EMS. The members voted 57% in favor of the new Collective Agreement”, said Tracy Fall, President of CUPE Local 3324.
“The Collective Agreement closes the wage gap between the Island Paramedics and their Nova Scotia counterparts.”
“The wage increases range over 14.2% to 24.2% depending on the classifications of the Paramedics”, explained Fall.
“We also made some significant improvements on the work week. As of October 2007, every paramedic will work 48 hours a week. Before, a week could vary from 48 to 60 hours.”
“For the first time ever, paramedics on the Island will be entitled to a salary top up when they go on maternity leave. Also, we enhanced our holidays, severance pay and sick leave.”
“We are very pleased with the financial assistance we negotiated for our members to upgrade their qualifications. Every year, four paramedics will receive a financial assistance of $8,000 each for upgrading,” concluded Fall.
The Collective Agreement is a four-year contract retroactive to September 2005. This is the first Collective Agreement for the new Provincial Ambulance Service.
CUPE Local 3324 represents 80 Paramedics across the Island.
For more information, please contact:
Tracy Fall
President CUPE Local 3324
(902) 394-2430
Jacques Sirois
CUPE Representative
(506) 863-5592