K9kazoo
06-21-2007, 06:00 AM
EMS talks falter over wage offer
Kim Guttormson
Calgary Herald
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Talks between the city and its EMS staff broke down over wages Wednesday, paving the way for the union to consider voting on strike action.
"The wage proposal fails to reflect the value of the service we provide to the city," Bruce Robb, president of the paramedics' union, said of the city's offer of 12 per cent over three years.
"Other city employees with similar skills, technical diplomas or degrees are making significantly more."
EMS is losing employees who can't afford to live in Calgary on what they make, he added.
While Robb wouldn't outline the increase the union is asking for, he acknowledged it's "significantly more."
EMS is not deemed to be an essential service, which means that unlike firefighters and police, paramedics can go on strike.
Although Premier Ed Stelmach said earlier this month he's in favour of declaring it essential, nothing could be done until at least the fall, when the legislature is back in session.
By walking away from the bargaining table Wednesday and asking the mediator to file his report, the union has set in motion a process that could land the timing for strike action in early July.
Once the mediator files his report Friday, a 14-day cooling-off period begins.
When that ends on July 7, the union would be in a position to take a strike vote. If given a mandate, they could walk off the job with 72 hours' notice.
However, Robb said no decision on any action will be taken until after meetings with the membership Friday and Monday.
"What course of action we'll take is the question," he said. "Mediation came to a grinding stop, but until we get direction from our members, that's where we're at."
City spokeswoman Vickie Megrath said the wage offer made to the paramedics is the same one accepted by the transit union last month. The transit workers were on the verge of walking out on a one-day strike when a deal was reached, although wages were not the main sticking point.
"We think the wage proposal is fair," Megrath said regarding EMS. "It reflects the value we place on our paramedics and is affordable to taxpayers."
Robb said an EMT makes $21.96 an hour to start, with a top wage of $26.70 an hour. The hourly wages for paramedics range from $23.74 to $30.26, while crew chiefs make $30.26 to $33.54.
The other salary issue is the shift differential, Robb said. The city has offered a 10 cent an hour increase to 85 cents.
Paramedics last went on strike in 1991, first going out for 10 days in December before reaching a deal and then walking off the job again in early January 1992 after city council rejected the agreement.
Robb said there have been three strike votes taken over the past 16 years.
The paramedics' union, CUPE local 3421, has been without a contract for almost a year.
kguttormson@theherald.canwest.com
© The Calgary Herald 2007
Kim Guttormson
Calgary Herald
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Talks between the city and its EMS staff broke down over wages Wednesday, paving the way for the union to consider voting on strike action.
"The wage proposal fails to reflect the value of the service we provide to the city," Bruce Robb, president of the paramedics' union, said of the city's offer of 12 per cent over three years.
"Other city employees with similar skills, technical diplomas or degrees are making significantly more."
EMS is losing employees who can't afford to live in Calgary on what they make, he added.
While Robb wouldn't outline the increase the union is asking for, he acknowledged it's "significantly more."
EMS is not deemed to be an essential service, which means that unlike firefighters and police, paramedics can go on strike.
Although Premier Ed Stelmach said earlier this month he's in favour of declaring it essential, nothing could be done until at least the fall, when the legislature is back in session.
By walking away from the bargaining table Wednesday and asking the mediator to file his report, the union has set in motion a process that could land the timing for strike action in early July.
Once the mediator files his report Friday, a 14-day cooling-off period begins.
When that ends on July 7, the union would be in a position to take a strike vote. If given a mandate, they could walk off the job with 72 hours' notice.
However, Robb said no decision on any action will be taken until after meetings with the membership Friday and Monday.
"What course of action we'll take is the question," he said. "Mediation came to a grinding stop, but until we get direction from our members, that's where we're at."
City spokeswoman Vickie Megrath said the wage offer made to the paramedics is the same one accepted by the transit union last month. The transit workers were on the verge of walking out on a one-day strike when a deal was reached, although wages were not the main sticking point.
"We think the wage proposal is fair," Megrath said regarding EMS. "It reflects the value we place on our paramedics and is affordable to taxpayers."
Robb said an EMT makes $21.96 an hour to start, with a top wage of $26.70 an hour. The hourly wages for paramedics range from $23.74 to $30.26, while crew chiefs make $30.26 to $33.54.
The other salary issue is the shift differential, Robb said. The city has offered a 10 cent an hour increase to 85 cents.
Paramedics last went on strike in 1991, first going out for 10 days in December before reaching a deal and then walking off the job again in early January 1992 after city council rejected the agreement.
Robb said there have been three strike votes taken over the past 16 years.
The paramedics' union, CUPE local 3421, has been without a contract for almost a year.
kguttormson@theherald.canwest.com
© The Calgary Herald 2007