Paramedics representing the majority of the Ontario’s 5000 ambulance workers have sent a forceful message to the provincial government. Unless a legislated mandatory flu shot is removed from the Ambulance Act, they will mobilize province-wide in defiance.
Paramedics in the province want to be treated like other health care workers who now have the individual choice of getting the flu vaccine. Over the past few months, 50 paramedics have been suspended or threatened with suspension for refusing to comply with the mandatory vaccine.
“What we are telling this government is get this mandatory flu shot out of the Act or none of us will comply. All we want is the choice afforded every other worker and resident in this province,” said Durham area paramedic Michael Dick at a media conference held last week in Toronto.
Paramedics were attending the founding conference of the CUPE Ontario Ambulance Workers Committee. They unanimously endorsed an action plan to counter detrimental legislation passed by the Tory government.