'We want results': Urgences-sante support staff to strike next week
Urgences-santé support staff are expected to launch a fixed-term administrative strike next week over stalled contract negotiations and a shrinking workforce.
The union, which represents mechanics, repair technicians and other support staff, is likely to strike from July 18 to 19. The strike is not expected to affect public services.
The union hopes to pressure the government to move more quickly on contract negotiations, which have become hitched on higher salary demands. Without a salary boost, the union says it won't be able to retain staff.
Of the 120 support employees at Urgences-santé, "45 people have left their jobs," in the last year, according to support worker union president Marc Dulude, who says staff have been without a collective agreement since 2020.
He says certain "emergency" staffing measures have been put in place, but that they are only Band-Aid solutions.
"We have hired paramedic students during the summer to come and help us," he said, "but they're going to return to school in September, so we're going to have a staffing problem again."
In June, the union voted 96 per cent in favour of 10 banked striking days, meaning more strikes could follow.
“Ultimately, the lack of support staff at Urgences-santé jeopardizes the ability to provide quality pre-hospital services to the population," Dulude said at the time in a release announcing the vote.
"After more than two years after the expiry of our agreement, we cannot say that we have not shown patience," he said. "Now, we want results."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.