TORONTO – Leaders of Ontario’s largest union have unanimously condemned the firing of one of their fellow executive board members, vowing to support the dedicated frontline paramedic who spoke out on social media in favour of an anti-war rally in Toronto. Board members have also called for her full reinstatement by York Region. A Facebook…
May 1 is First Responders Day, a day of recognition and gratitude for the skilled and selfless people who help save lives when emergencies strike. It is the honour of CUPE Ontario and the CUPE Ambulance Committee of Ontario (CACO) to pay tribute to CUPE paramedics and dispatchers and all frontline first responders, who are…
TORONTO – CUPE Paramedics met with MPPs at Queen’s Park today to bring attention to the ongoing underfunding of emergency medical services in Ontario. “Shortages of ambulances and staff, lack of hospital capacity, and heavy workloads are all things our members face on a daily basis, and underfunding from the provincial government is continuing to…
On May 1, a day dedicated to sharing our pride and gratitude for our first responders, CUPE Ontario and CUPE Ambulance Committee of Ontario (CACO) are honoured to pay tribute to the skill, compassion and professionalism of CUPE paramedics and dispatchers – the people who provide us with urgent and life-saving care when emergency strikes.…
(Peterborough, ON) – We’re working to ease the recruitment and retention crisis facing Peterborough County/City paramedics, said CUPE Local 4911 as they hosted a member engagement photo opportunity in front of Peterborough Regional Hospital, displaying a banner signed by over 200 people supporting their efforts. “Peterborough residents rely on paramedics who can respond rapidly to…
(Peterborough, ON) – What the Peterborough County/City Paramedics is proposing to paramedics in negotiations isn’t good enough and that’s why negotiations have broken down, says the union representing them, CUPE Local 4911. “Staffing at the Peterborough County/City Paramedics has become a real problem,” says Natalie Waters, President of the CUPE Local 4911. “There are many…
BELLEVILLE, ON – A proposal to transfer lift assistance work out of the hands of paramedics was discussed at Hastings County Council and needs to be opposed, said CUPE Local 1842. “Paramedics are the ones who know how to determine if someone’s hurt and can properly attend to them if they are,” said Rob Cunningham,…
TORONTO – Ontario paramedics and their unions have won a major victory in their fight for fair access to early retirement after a decades-long campaign for pension fairness. The Ontario Municipal Employees’ Retirement System (OMERS), which is the defined benefit pension plan for paramedics, has finally amended the rules to provide paramedics the option of…
As Ontario marks Paramedic Services Week (May 21-27), CUPE draws attention to recent data showing surging demand and rise in incidents of zero ambulance availability. Toronto, ON – As critical ambulance shortages rise across the province, the union representing the majority of paramedics in Ontario is calling on the provincial government to work on a…
TORONTO, ON – The $74 billion ten-year healthcare deal between the Ontario and the federal government is a positive step but the funds must be immediately used to improve paramedic services and bolster the public health care system, says Niko Georgiadis, the chair of the CUPE Ontario Ambulance Committee that represents the majority of paramedics…
