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…
WINDSOR, ON: The paramedics of Essex County organized as CUPE 2974 have voted 100 per cent in favour of strike action in the event of an impasse during ongoing negotiations. The strike mandate comes after years of relentless advocacy by CUPE 2974 calling on the county to improve the quality of service the local community…
Toronto, ON – Now’s the time to finally repeal the Constitution-violating legislation which caps total compensation, including wages, for public sector workers to only 1 per cent, said the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario during a press conference. “The Ford Conservatives have simply done nothing to deal with the skyrocketing cost of living,”…
Kenora, ON – CUPE Local 5911 paramedics serving the District of Kenora are advocating for investments from the provincial and municipal governments to improve ambulance coverage for patients calling 911 and working conditions for paramedics. In addition to more direct funding for the paramedic service, the union is also calling for investments in community health…
On May 1 2022, First Responders Day, we acknowledge the life-saving work of nearly 6,000 CUPE paramedics and dispatchers in Emergency Medical Services while calling attention to the crisis in the sector. Last October, when we surveyed CUPE EMS members, the results painted a bleak picture of understaffed paramedic services, widespread ambulance shortages, and severe…
Yesterday, a CUPE paramedic local in Windsor-Essex published a concerning twitter thread that does not reflect the beliefs and values of our union, including those of the vast majority of first responders who are vaccinated. CUPE has always encouraged members to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their family, and their community. But the work is…
TORONTO, ON – The staffing crisis in Niagara’s Emergency Medical Services has worsened during the ongoing Omicron wave and requires immediate attention as critical ambulance shortages grow, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 911. Niagara EMS service is witnessing frequent Code Zeros, occasions when there are no ambulances available to respond to 911…
TORONTO, ON – The union representing most Ontario paramedics is calling on the provincial government to address mental health of emergency medical services staff amidst gruelling working conditions through the pandemic. “Paramedics and dispatchers have struggled with heavy workloads for years. But the sharp increase in call volumes and lengthier offload delays at hospitals during…
NIAGARA REGION, ON – The Niagara Region Emergency Medical Service (EMS) is putting people’s safety at risk by not providing paramedics and dispatchers the resources they need to serve patients, says Local 911 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 911). The union is calling on Niagara EMS and the regional municipality to act…
