Paramedics getting 1.75% wage hikes

A new three-year contract for unionized workers with the Peterborough County/ City Paramedics was ratified Wednesday by county council.

Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4911 also ratified the deal late Wednesday.

The employees covered by the new deal will receive a wage hike of 1.75% retroactive to Jan. 1, followed by increases of 1.75% on each of Jan. 1, 2018 and Jan. 1, 2019, according to a release from the county.

“These increases will have the effect of maintaining competitive wages as compared to other Eastern Region ambulance services,” the release states.

The new contract also provides increased maximums for shortterm disability benefits, improvements in paid holiday overtime provisions, increased vacation for long-serving paramedics and increased pay in lieu for part-time employees participating in the OMERS pension plan.

Contract language changes include a modified probationary period, additional availability requirements for part-time paramedics, and other operational issues to assist the county in its day-to-day management of the service, the release states.

The cost of all of the changes have been incorporated into the county’s 2018 budget as well as in planning for the 2019 county budget.