ONEIDA NATION OF THE THAMES, ON – The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is pleased to announce the settlement of a first collective agreement by arbitration for employees of Oneida Nation of the Thames Emergency Medical Services. This is the first contract between the union and a First Nations paramedic service in Ontario.
The new contract sees higher than average wage increases for full- and part-time paramedics as well as the introduction of a shift premium. Full-time workers will receive increases to vision care and long-term disability benefits, with part-time workers winning parity in vacation pay and access to the Employee Assistance Program.
“We’re happy with the agreement that has been reached and the improvements in our working conditions,” said John Bryan, a full-time medic with Oneida Nation of the Thames EMS and unit chair of CUPE Local 35-6. “Being part of CUPE will help us to continue to provide the high-quality paramedic services that the people of the Oneida Nation of the Thames and surrounding communities depend on.”
“CUPE welcomes Oneida Nation of the Thames paramedics with open arms,” said Jason Fraser, chair of the CUPE Ambulance Committee of Ontario (CACO). “This group has been working hard for several years to unionize, and we’re thrilled they’ve finally found a home with us.”
CUPE represents 5,500 paramedics and ambulance communications officers across the province.
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For more information, please contact:
Jason Fraser, Chair, CUPE Ambulance Committee of Ontario, 705-760-1544
Colleen Butler, CUPE Communications, 647-206-5070
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