Urgences-santé paramedics threaten strike action

In the absence of a comprehensive agreement in principle, the union representing paramedics in Laval and Montreal announced Friday that it would trigger a strike soon.

In a statement, the Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux (FSSS), which is affiliated to the Confédération des syndicats nationaux, explained that members were to vote this week on the agreement reached in July with Urgences-santé, which serves both cities.

At the time the agreement was reached, the union agreed to postpone the vote at the request of Health Minister Gaétan Barrette, to allow him to finalize certain details, particularly regarding the provincial pension plan.

Nearly four months later, the agreement is still not complete and union members have decided to increase the pressure, warning that “unless there is a turnaround,” they would strike again “at the time deemed appropriate.”

The union warned that paramedics across Quebec would mobilize next week in a show of force. It added that direct services to the public would not be affected and that pressure tactics would target employers, health and social services institutions and the government.

The Laval and Montreal paramedics collective agreements expired March 31, 2015.

In the statement, vice-president of the FSSS-CSN Dany Lacasse blamed the current impasse on Barrette, accusing him of hindering progress in relation to the workload and scheduling issues, and being unable to resolve the pension plan issue. The union also accuses Urgences-santé of making “far-reaching unilateral decisions” regarding paramedics’ workload, a key issue in the negotiations.

The FSSS-CSN represents about 3,600 paramedics, dispatchers, employees and support staff, including more than 900 paramedics in the greater Montreal area.