Here's an email that was sent out by my Alderman this afternoon around 4pm.
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The union’s contract expired June 30, 2006. Both the City and the union have met approximately 25 times, including one session with a mediator since April 2006. The union ended negotiations and the session involving the mediator. The City is available and willing to resume discussions at any time.
The City’s goal is to achieve a negotiated settlement as soon as possible and is continuing to work with the union towards a positive outcome.
On July 19, The City proposed to the union that this contract dispute be put to a voluntary interest arbitration board. It is a process under the provincial labour code where both parties agree to have their dispute settled by an independent third party. The decision of the board is final and binding and forms the basis of the new contract.
The City wants to reach a negotiated settlement with the union and is willing to continue discussions. However, the union ended mediation and took a strike vote, which the membership endorsed. That means that the membership has given their approval for a strike. However, the union must provide the City with 72 hours notice before starting a strike or any legal job action. The notice has NOT been received as of yet.
The union is seeking a wage increases of approximately 30% over three years as well as increases to shift differentials. The City’s offer of 12% is in line with the wage increases by other unions representing City employees and is affordable to taxpayers (Calgary Police Service settled for 11 %). The City’s offer is also inclusive of a supplementary pension plan for its employees.
Presently, Paramedics are the second highest paid paramedics in western Canada, and the third highest in Canada. Calgary EMS is second only to the Province of British Columbia and third to the City of Toronto. The average T4 earnings for members of the union in 2006 were $75,000.
In the event of a strike, the City does have a contingency plan in place. Management personnel who are trained and certified paramedics will be staffing the ambulances. They will be supported by managers from other business units who have received basic ambulance training and first aid training.
911 will continue to answer calls as employees in Public Safety Communications centre are represented by a different union and will their operation will not be impacted.
If you need emergency medical care, call 911. If your medical need is not an emergency call the Calgary Health Region’s Health Link at 943-5465. If you require non-emergency medical care and are able to get to a hospital on your own, you are urged to do so.
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