Quebec paramedics 'light years away' from proper deal on compensation, union says
As Quebec asks paramedics to help out in hospitals and CHSLDs, a union representing them says the workers are "light years away" from real wage recognition for their contribution.
The Fraternité des travailleurs du préhospitalier -- a local of the FTQ-affiliated Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) -- represents 900 paramedics in Quebec, outside of Montreal and Laval.
Negotiations on collective agreements with employer associations and the Treasury Board are still ongoing, but the parties are far apart, union vice-president David Gagnon said in an interview Friday.
The union is asking for wage increases, but also for a restructuring of the pay scale, because it believes that the job title is undervalued, given the training requirements, the degree of responsibility, and the judgment required.
He argues that in the health sector, nurses, physicians and orderlies have been getting more than other government employees. With the current offers, "we would be the poor cousins of all of this," he argued.
Other than compensation, "everything else is pretty much settled," he added.
The scope of practice of paramedics is indeed set to expand, as Quebec has announced that it will call on them to help out in hospitals and CHSLDs. Also, in the Montérégie region, a community paramedic project has been launched, which puts more emphasis on their judgment, giving them more responsibility for decisions.
Far from complaining about this, paramedics have been asking for it for years, because they feel their skills are underutilized.
"We're very happy to see our scope of practice expanded. We believe in it, but it's being done with ministerial orders, without real negotiation, and without compensation. We're a little tired of it," said Gagnon.
QUEBEC SEEKING AGREEMENT SOON
For its part, the Treasury Board confirmed that it had "made an offer" to the union.
"We are still in negotiations. We will not comment further at this time," said Florence Plourde, press secretary to Treasury Board President Sonia LeBel.
"Our desire is to reach an agreement quickly' with the unions, she added.
For the moment, the paramedics union is resorting to "means of visibility." But, Gagnon does not rule out getting tougher to increase pressure on ambulance companies and the government, which gives them a subsidy.
"We're starting to think about heavier pressure tactics. We are not taking away the possibility of going on strike. We are an organization that is used to moving quickly, so we are able to get a strike mandate from our locals fairly quickly.
If ever we have to move, we will not hesitate to do so," Gagnon said.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Oct. 8, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Liberal government not immune from auto thefts: 48 vehicles stolen in recent years
Documents tabled in the House of Commons this week show 48 government vehicles were stolen between January 2016 and February of this year, most of them in Ontario.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly at least nine games for violating the league's gender-based violence policy.