June 29, 2023 at 10:30 AM
Unifor Local 2002 is pleased to announce that its Ornge paramedic services members have ratified a new collective agreement by 83.9 percent. The new four-year agreement will be in effect from August 1, 2023 until July 31, 2027. There was a very strong turn out for ratification with over 75% of the membership attending the meetings on June 27-28th.
Members are paramedics responsible for patient care and medical transfers. Ornge operates the largest and most sophisticated program of aero-medical transport in North America. Members provide care to patients in fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft, as well as ground ambulances.
"Congratulations to the Unifor Bargaining Committee for negotiating an agreement that recognizes the important contributions that members perform as urgent care paramedics," said Tammy Moore, Unifor Local 2002 President. "The work that Ornge members carry out every day is of vital importance to public safety, and we are grateful for their dedication and professionalism."
Highlights of the new agreement include:
-
Wage increases in every year of the agreement
-
Substantial increases in mental health coverage and care for members as well as their eligible family members to a maximum of $5,000 per year
-
Improvements to health care services (eg. vision care, chiropractic, physio, etc.)
-
Short term disability bank – used to bridge coverage at 100% of pay
-
Vacation enhancements
This is the first freely negotiated and ratified collective agreement for our Ornge members in 14 years (since 2009). This is a significant accomplishment for this unit and is proof that with hard work by the Committee and the support from the membership, the best deals are reached at the bargaining table.
Unifor strives to protect the economic rights and working conditions of members. This is part of the Union’s mandate, and we will continue to demand improvements to working conditions and compensation for Ornge members.
The current Unifor-Ornge collective agreement will expire on July 31, 2023.
In Solidarity,
Your Unifor-Ornge Bargaining Committee
Mark Etherington, Chairperson
Keith Simons, Northern Bases
Geoffrey Brown, Southern Bases
Denise Cochrane, Assistant to the Local President
David Cayer, Unifor National Representative
Kelly-Anne Orr, Assistant to the National Officers
For more information, please contact: Denise Cochrane – Assistant to the President
/23-06-29 Ornge ratification details EN.txt