BC Paramedics Legislated Into Contract Extension

[tniuqs]

And here is the proper way to negotiate terms: Note this is the "tentative" agreement to ORNGE no word as to final outcomes.

CAW and Ornge reach tentative agreement

Category: Main News Room, Ornge

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 16:00

After three months of discussions, the Ornge Bargaining Committee is pleased to announce they have reached a tentative agreement with the employer. The Ornge Bargaining Committee is proud of what they were able to achieve in this negotiated agreement for their membership and unanimously recommend acceptance.

All CAW Local 2002, District 344 Members are strongly encouraged to attend the ratification meetings in order to hear the details to the numerous changes in the tentative agreement. As per the Local 2002 bylaws, voting will only take place during the scheduled meeting times.

Highlights of the agreement are as follows:

Wages 3 year agreement 2%, 2%, 2.5%, retroactive to October 31/09’

Eliminated 2 year steps between increments for existing staff

Benefits increased; massage, chiropractic and physiotherapy to 750.00 per year

Shift Premiums; increased to $1.00 per hour and extra premium for staggered shifts

Part Time; increase in lieu of benefits to 10%

Grievances: fast track process for grievances and arbitrations

Discipline: notes on files decreased to 18 months-can review MAC file-union member now a non-voting member of the MAC

Seniority-can be accumulated for self-funded and military leave, members that leave the bargaining unit can maintain seniority for 60 days

Health and Safety; significant changes and increases in power and responsibility for the committee

Statutory Holiday; add Family Day for a total of 11 days equaling 132 hours

Jury and Coroners Court; paid appropriately for time attended

Hours of work; Ornge acknowledges shifts are 12 hours in length, significant shift over run compensation, Shift over run/Duty Out committee will be used to its full potential, increased comp. bank to 60 hours, additional compensation for missed meals

Lay off and recall; defined process

Training and Education; all training done on scheduled shifts

Medical exams; no limits

Personal Days; used for short notice book off

Equipment List; additional items added

Assignment to other vehicles; deviation from policies will be fast tracked to arbitration

Short Term Sick Leave; ability to carry over a portion of unused sick time

Self Funded Leave; guaranteed 1 member per base max 10 per system

Travel; defined travel policy

Isolated Base Issue; increase northern allowance to $17,500 and a commitment to provide housing and training

Vacation; guaranteed time off

Staffing; seniority based

Swing and Float; more stable schedule

Performance Bonus; continuation of performance system

WSIB; advance waiver increased to 6 weeks

Temporary Staff; creation of a temporary staffing process

Land bases; defined driving duty day

The above are partial highlights of the tentative agreement concluded on Wednesday, December 9th 2009 by the CAW Bargaining Committee; Chuck Telky, Mike Chad, Dan LeFebvre, Ashley Watkins, and Ron Smith. For official purposes, please consult the document entitled "Tentative Agreement". This document will include all of the tentative changes made to the collective Agreement and will be available at the ratification meetings.

[rock_shoes]

And here is the proper way to negotiate terms: Note this is the "tentative" agreement to ORNGE no word as to final outcomes.

You mean paramedics get to negotiate in other jurisdictions?

On another note. I didn't know ORNGE employees are represented by the CAW. Must have something to do with being in Ontario.

[tniuqs]

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/81194602.html

Paramedics handed out hot dogs and hot chocolate in front of Cariboo Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett’s office Friday in an effort to bring awareness to Bill 21. The bill, which forced an end to the seven-month ambulance paramedic strike in November, meant a one-year deal imposed by the province that is retroactive to April 1, 2009 and includes a wage increase of three per cent. Negotiations on the next contract began Dec. 10, and there can be no strike action until the imposed contract expires on March 31, 2010. Richard Vollo, regional vice president for the Ambulance Paramedics of BC CUPE 383, was at the hot-dog roast that was held to keep the profile of Bill 21 in the public’s eye.

“It’s not just about us anymore,” Vollo says. “It’s about all of the other unions that are coming up to bargaining.”

He says the hot-dog barbecue was held to encourage MLAs like Barnett to take a “sober second thought” at Bill 21 and “perhaps bring some sanity and common sense back to this round of bargaining.” It was also held so passersby could have any questions they may have about the issue answered by the paramedics.

Also on Friday, the Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. filed a petition in the Supreme Court of B.C. challenging the appointment of Chris Trumpy as an industrial inquiry commissioner.Among other orders and declarations, the petition says that under Section 79 of the Labour Relations Code, the Minister of Labour is required to be satisfied that prospective Industrial Inquiry Commissions are independent and impartial, and that they possess appropriate labour relations expertise and are recognized in the labour relations community as generally acceptable to both management and labour. Vollo says the government appointed Trumpy without consulting the Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. He says that group doesn’t believe Trumpy is independent and impartial. It also believes he doesn’t possess appropriate labour relations expertise to be an IIC. The petition also says Trumpy is not recognized in the labour relations community as generally acceptable to both management and labour. The Ministry of Labour appointed Trumpy as an IIC on Nov. 19, in a matter between the Emergency Health Services Commission and the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 873. The petition orders setting aside and quashing of any report or recommendations issued by Trumpy and orders the quashing of Trumpy’s appointment, as well as the terms of reference accompanying the appointment of Trumpy, or in the alternative, an order declaring the office of IIC to be vacant. Trumpy, Vollo says, is expected to produce a report on Friday, Jan. 15.

Vollo says the union is “somewhat optimistic” about the bargaining that began Dec. 10. “We have not even come close to talking bout monetary issues, recruitment, retention, and all of those types of issues,” he notes.

Barnett says she wasn’t able to grab a hot dog or talk to the paramedics on Friday since she was in meetings all day. She says the Minister of Labour appointed Trumpy a while ago, and says the public and anyone else wanting to give input regarding his appointment has until Jan. 15 to do so.

“The consultation process has been there,” she says. “It’s been there all along, and as far as the paramedics go, they could give input.” She says the government knows the Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. isn’t happy with the appointment.

“But this is what the Minister of Labour has decided some time ago,” Barnett says. “I hope we can all sit down and resolve the issue.” She adds that people in the Cariboo Chilcotin have given input on rural paramedic service.

“We all know what has happened in the past is not working, so we’ve got to come up with something that will encourage and keep paramedics in the rural communities,” Barnett says. “I just hope we all get to the table and resolve the issues as quickly as possible and that everybody participates in the process.”

In a letter to union members, John Strohmaier, provincial president of CUPE Local 873, says the union had proposed an independent review and still believes an independent review is the only way to resolve the labour dispute.

Trumpy has held several deputy minister positions, including deputy minister of sustainable resource management, deputy minister of the Ministry of Provincial Revenue, and deputy minister of Ministry of Finance and Corporate Relations.