‘Members at Ornge go above and beyond,’ says Dias

‘Members at Ornge go above and beyond,’ says Dias

October 3, 2014 at 2:43 PM
On September 26, 2014 Unifor President Jerry Dias, Director of Transportation Ron Smith, Local 2002 President Cheryl Robinson, District Chairperson Chuck Telky and bargaining representatives Travis Given and Mike Chad met with company executives to discuss unresolved issues at Ornge.

Paramedics at Ornge are increasingly frustrated with their employer’s seeming indifference to their concerns involving training cuts, health and safety issues and more recently, a proposed expansion to the Critical Care Land Ambulance Program (CCLAP).

Unifor President Jerry Dias made it clear that our membership are not willing to give up hard fought gains for additional opportunities for Ornge,  especially when it concerns issues of health and safety such as our rest periods.

"I am proud every time I see an Ornge ambulance or helicopter,” said Dias. "Our members at Ornge literally go above and beyond every day, providing exceptional professional care in communities across Ontario.” 
He told Ornge CEO Andrew McCallum that the union would arrange a tripartite meeting (involving union, company and government officials) to discuss future opportunities for Unifor members.

On October 1, 2014 at a joint labour-management committee meeting, the bargaining committee learned that Ornge had advised the Ministry of Health Air Ambulance Program Oversight Director Richard Jackson that they would not be expanding the CCLAP because the union would not change the hours of work and rest periods in the collective agreement. 

In response, Unifor advised Ornge that the union will initiate dialogue with the provincial government, with or without the partnership of the company. 

"Our members at Ornge are experts in their field and must be involved in any conversations that affect their working conditions,” says Local 2002 President Cheryl Robinson. "We look forward to continuing a collaborative discussion in order to protect the health and safety of our members and communities.”

Local 2002 will continue to keep you informed with any further developments. Please ensure that you have subscribed at www.unifor2002.org to receive e-news updates.

For further information please contact Local 2002 Executive Assistant Ashley Watkins  (416) 460-7442