“At this time, we are waiting for the Zoo’s negotiating team to respond to our last offer,” said CUPE 1600 President Christine McKenzie.

“We believe that the two sides made progress last night. If we were 90 per cent of the way to an agreement last week, we are 95 per cent of the way there now. Now is the time for both sides to roll up our sleeves and finish the job,” she added.

The two sides adjourned late Thursday evening after several hours of bargaining. No further talks have been scheduled, pending a special meeting of the Toronto Zoo’s Board of Management, which takes place at 2:30 p.m. this afternoon.

McKenzie said she hopes the Board of Management gives the Zoo’s negotiating team “the flexibility it needs to conclude a fair collective agreement that ensures our 5,000 animal ambassadors get the best possible care, while also ensuring the Zoo continues to be a world leader in education, conservation and research.”

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, 416-821-6641

“We have repeatedly asked the employer to provide a compelling rationale for why they are demanding changes to language that protects needed staffing levels. The Zoo has been unwilling or unable to provide any such rationale,” she added.

The two sides met this morning, following a meeting of the Zoo’s Board of Management, which took place yesterday. The Board's long contentious discussion resulted in a split vote, with one city councillor stating afterwards that ‎the Board was “waging war on (workers) for no good reason.”

“We will not sell out future generations of the Toronto Zoo's important work” said McKenzie.

“The employment security and contracting out language we are fighting to protect maintains the Zoo’s world-leading conservation, research, education and species survial programs. It helps maintain our world-renowned veterinary research facility. These are the programs that will be put at risk by cuts to staffing, contracted out work and a revolving door of staff. These are programs that are integral to a 21st century zoo,” she added.

Despite repeated requests to provide a clear rationale for seeking these concessions, negotiators for the Toronto Zoo were either unable or unwilling to do so.

The only justification they can provide is that their proposals more closely mirror agreements negotiated with other City of Toronto bargaining units,” said McKenzie.

“We are Zoo workers with a collective agreement negotiated to reflect the needs of our Zoo workplace" she added.‎ "We are asking - what is the agenda for the future of the zoo? Let's be transparent about what this is really about"

No further talks are scheduled at this time. The union remains available to resume negotiations on short notice, but “we will not bargain with ourselves or trade away the rights of future generations of Toronto Zoo employees,” said McKenzie.

-30-

For more information, please contact Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, 416-821-6641

In north eastern Ontario, $23 million went to 25 hospitals. 12 hospitals in north western Ontario received just over $9 million. Even hospitals with significant deficits saw a bare 2 per cent injection, well below the 3.1 per cent in the April budget. The Sault Area Hospital however has received a 3.8 per cent increase.

“While even that is too low, it’s much more than other northern hospitals received in communities where there is no provincial by-election. It does beg the question, if the higher funding for the Sault hospital is political,” says Michael Hurley, president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE).

Hurley will be in Sudbury tomorrow (Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 10:30 a.m.) for a media conference (888 Regent Street, Suite 205) to provide an update on plans for a provincial health care rally in the city on June 8. OCHU continues to ask the provincial government for a 5 per cent funding increase for Ontario hospitals.

All northern Ontario hospitals face similar challenges, says Hurley, with higher than average chronic diseases, higher rates of cancer, worse mental health outcomes for children and youth in the north and higher percentage of seniors than the rest of the province. “There are also many more individuals without access to a family physician, lower incomes generally, and a large aboriginal population living without adequate housing or drinking water. All of these factors conspire with geography to punish northern Ontario and are reasons why funding must be increased to at least meet operating costs for northern hospitals.”

-30-

For more information please contact:

Michael Hurley            President, Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE)                   416-884-0770

Stella Yeadon              Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Communications               416-559-9300

“Our members have spoken loudly and clearly, and when our collective bargaining resumes, I sincerely hope our employer got the message and will come prepared to bargain,” said Dave Davies, CUPE 905 Unit Chair for the City of Markham’s inside and outside workers.

In the aftermath of several days of unproductive bargaining, the Provincial Ministry of Labour, last week, appointed a conciliation officer who will assist the union and the employer when bargaining resumes.

Earlier, workers from the inside and outside units voted 96 per cent in favour of giving their bargaining committee a mandate to take whatever steps they feel are necessary to achieve a fair collective agreement, up to and including strike action, if necessary.

“Going forward, we hope both parties can move forward and conduct our bargaining in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation,” said Davies.

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, 416-821-6641

TORONTO, ON – The long awaited Changing Workplaces Review Final Report proved a major disappointment today when after expecting major reform of Ontario’s labour law to make the legal right to join a union a practical reality for workers outside of traditional workplaces, the final report contained nothing of the sort.

“Rewriting Ontario’s Labour Relations Act and Employment Standards Act isn’t something any government can do every year or two so when it does happen, it makes sense to expect significant change” CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn said today.

 
“What happened to the major reforms that workers have been calling for with a virtually unanimous voice?  What happened to card based certification, anti-scab legislation, access to first contract arbitration and recognition of successor rights, they’re nowhere to be found. What happened to paid sick days for all workers?”

 
Hahn says if the government passes over these changes it will mean placing unionization literally out-of-reach for all those now struggling in precarious employment in Ontario.

 
Hahn says that doesn’t need to happen.   Despite the failure of the Changing Workplaces Review Final Report to include much needed and long expected major reforms, “they can and should be included” when the government brings forward legislation expected by many to come next week.

“It’s just not defensible in Ontario to say that some workers will have better access than others to constitutionally protected rights like meaningful access to collective bargaining that’s why it’s not unreasonable to expect the Ontario government will follow their federal counterparts and put these changes into legislation.  That’s what I’ll be looking for and I won’t be alone,” Hahn said.

For more information, contact: Sarah Jordison, CUPE Communications, 416-578-5638

www.cupe.on.ca

While the majority of northern Ontario hospitals, including Sudbury’s Health Sciences North (HSN) – a regional hospital with a cancer centre – got $5.8 million or about a 2 per cent funding increase, the Sault Area Hospital saw a 3.8 per cent allocation that amounts to $5.5 million in 2017.

Although the Sault Area Hospital fared better than other northern hospitals, the money it received in the throes of the by-election “the Liberals are desperate to win, is still not enough to restore staff, beds and services that have been cut following eight years shrinking provincial funding for hospitals,” Hurley said.

Following years of zero base funding increases, the consensus among health care stakeholders from the association representing hospitals to front line staff unions is that hospitals need a minimum of about a 5 per cent increase in funding, simply to maintain existing services.  But in its April budget the provincial Liberal government provided an underwhelming province-wide funding increase of 3.1 per cent for hospitals.  Northern hospitals however are only getting 2 per cent – with the notable exception of the Sault.

In 2016-17 the Liberals planned to increase funding 2 per cent, but were forced by community and labour campaigns focused on patient need to increase funding 3.5 per cent by the end of the year.  “Like last year, communities have to drive hospital funding higher this year as well,” Hurley says, “Two per cent just won’t do.”

Based on the last available data, to bring hospitals just to last year’s 3.5 per cent, funding for HSN would need to increase by $10.15 million, not the $5.8 million announced by the local Liberal MPP last week.

Similarly North Bay Regional Health Centre’s allocation of $3.67 million would need to go up to $6.4 million; Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre given $4 million would need to see an increase to $7 million; Lake of the Woods in Kenora would need funding increased from $555,011 to $971,000 and Timmins and District Hospital up to $2.38 million from $1.36 million.

The northern hospital funding gap may grow next year.   The Ontario government has promised an overall 4.7 per cent increase for health care in 2018-19.  This is closer to the actual cost pressures that hospitals face.  But if this year’s 2 per cent approach is any indication, northern hospitals will not see anything like that, Hurley said.

Hospitals in the north are facing significant challenges including higher rates of disease and poverty and “we believe they all deserve increased funding to at least meet operating costs. We will continue to push for that and for stable multi-year funding. We are also optimistic that northern communities will demand funding for their hospitals return to levels at real cost pressures,” said Hurley in outlining plans for a large community rally aimed at increasing hospital funding to 5 per cent.

-30-

For more information please contact:

Michael Hurley                     President, Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE)                                  416-884-0770

Stella Yeadon                      Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Communications                              416-559-9300

Hancock will arrive on the picket lines tomorrow, May 25, at approximately 9:00 a.m., and remain there until approximately 11:30 a.m. He will be joined by other CUPE leadership and community allies.

Media wishing to interview Mark Hancock or CUPE 1600 President Christine McKenzie are encouraged to contact Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications. He can be reached via mobile at 416-821-6641.

              WHO:        CUPE National President Mark Hancock

              WHEN:     Thursday, May 25, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

              WHERE:  CUPE 1600 picket line outside Toronto Zoo’s main entrance

                                 (Meadowvale Drive, just north of Sheppard Avenue)

              WHY:        Picket line visit by CUPE National President Mark Hancock,

labour and community allies

CUPE 1600 represents more than 400 zookeepers, horticulturists, trades people, administrative and public relations staff, concession and ride operators at Canada’s largest zoo. The members of CUPE 1600 began strike action on May 11.

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, 416-821-6641

This is why this Saturday, May 27, 2017 between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., CUPE Ontario along with the local group ‘We are Oshawa’ are hosting a community event highlighting how “we, right here in Oshawa can all make a difference to the lives of vulnerable seniors by supporting a resident care standard,” says Rennick.

She’s encouraging Oshawa-Durham residents with aging parents, family members already in long-term care or anyone interested in the state of the system to drop by the Saturday event at the Northview Library (Nonquon Room), 250 Beatrice Street, Oshawa to learn about how Ontario underfunds resident care compared to other provinces and what they can do to change that. “We want anyone who wants to help make this better to come out to our community day on Saturday and find out how they can help,” says Rennick.

While staffing falls short in other provinces, Ontario provides less care than reported by any other province. No other province reports fewer long-term care health care staff per resident (or per bed) than Ontario. Heath data shows that long-term care residents are sicker than ever, have a much higher acuity and require much more care. The percentage of residents with heart disease are growing at a rate of 4.5 per cent per year and those with renal failure at a rate of 3.7 per cent per year.  Residents with six or more formal diagnoses are growing at a rate of 4.8 per cent a year.  But provincial funding for long-term care only increased by 2 per cent in the 2017 budget.

There are thousands of Ontarians who have signed petitions, door-knocked and been in touch with their MPPs calling for the Time to Care Act (Bill 33) to be made law. “Now we’re calling on all area MPPs to join MPP Jennifer French in clearly supporting this bill that will make an immense difference to the quality of life for long-term care residents”, says Rennick.

Saturday’s Time to Care event is “family-friendly” with a free community barbeque, children’s games and door prizes, says Rennick. “All are welcome.”

For more information about CUPE Ontario’s Time to Care campaign go to: www.timetocareontario.ca.

-30-

For more information please contact:

Stella Yeadon              CUPE Communications                     416-559-9300

Thanks to the hard work of thousands of workers and advocates, the government has finally acknowledged that we have a serious problem in this province when it comes to workers’ rights and compensation, Hahn told a meeting of his Executive Board that is preparing for the union’s annual convention this week in Toronto.

“Today’s commitment to increasing the minimum wage at the end of the year is a great first step – now we just need to keep up the pressure to get them to enact the many other substantive changes workers really need,” Hahn said.

At first glance, today’s announcement of increased vacation, card-based certification for three sectors, and equal wages for part-time workers seems truly substantive, but the reality is a bit more sobering.

Vacation increases only kick in after five years, but in the reality of today’s job market, few people have the luxury of staying in the same job for that long. Similarly, the announcement of equal wages for part-time staff includes a merit-based exemption that employers can exploit to avoid having to pay a fair wage.

“The reality is, without access to a union, workers will still find themselves victims to employers who exploit the loopholes around most of today’s announcements,” said Hahn. “Today’s announcement of restoring card-based certification for only a small segment of workers actually creates a two-tiered system where some workers have fair access to their constitutional rights while the majority still don’t. This is just wrong.”

Meaningful access to collective bargaining is a constitutional right in Canada, but since card- based union certification was eliminated by the Conservative government in the nineties, it has become more difficult for unions to organize and certify new groups of workers. Since then, we have witnessed a changing economy in which there are entire sectors of workers for whom the legal right to join a union remains no more than words on paper.

“This government keeps talking about needing to maintain balance between employers and employees,” said Hahn. “But, the balance between workers and their employers has been out of whack for so long that today’s announcement doesn’t come close to restoring the balance needed to create an economy that works for everyone.”

-30-

For more information, contact: Sarah Jordison, CUPE Communications, 416-578-5638

“We find it disingenuous for the board to be trumpeting their balanced budget while staff layoffs and the impact of these cuts are being downplayed,” said Anna Maxner, president of CUPE 1317. “Our members keep the schools clean and safe and deliver services to enhance students’ educational experience. When you cut 32 positions that are vital to the school system, there will be an impact on school operations – yet, as far as we know, none of this has been raised publicly in meetings or with the parents.”

Maxner is referring to recent media reports of the board touting their budget being balanced while there appear to be no plans in place to address the issue of layoffs and how these cuts will impact services in schools. Thirty-two school board staff, including twelve Designated Early Childhood Educators, seven Communicative Disorder Assistants, six custodians, five administrative staff and two Child and Youth workers, have been given layoff notices in the past weeks.

“The board is cutting a significant part of the Speech Language Program department – all seven Communicative Disorder Assistants are being let go, leaving us to wonder who will be there to help students with speech therapy needs,” continued Maxner. “So, all the progress and work that our members have been providing to students with speech issues will come to a stop. We are not even sure if the parents are aware that students will be losing this service.”

CUPE 1317 represents over 900 school board workers in 57 elementary and secondary schools in the Niagara area. These workers are maintenance and custodians, secretaries and administration staff, IT workers, educational assistants and early childhood educators. “We are urging parents and concerned residents to attend upcoming school board meetings to raise concerns about the cuts and ask trustees to invest in quality public education.”

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Anna Maxner, CUPE 1317 President, 905-328-8794

Steve Leavitt, CUPE National Representative, 905-641-3051

James Chai, CUPE Communications, 905-739-3999

The webcast will resume at approximately 9:10AM Eastern on June 2nd

Not able to come to the CUPE Ontario Convention this year? You don’t have to miss the action!

You can tune in to watch our live stream coverage and stay on top of the issues and the decisions being made on how our union moves forward.

Convention is the highest decision making body of our union. Our delegates play a critical role in supporting a broader social movement that’s fighting to create a province that works for everyone.

Watch along with us from May 31^st to June 3^rd. Join your fellow CUPE Ontario members as we build our plan to be bold and be brave and make Ontario better for everyone.

“Premier Wynne’s decision to sell Hydro One to profit-driven shareholders is politics at its worst. After a one-time bump from Hydro One sales, the FAO expects ‘the deficit to deteriorate steadily’,” says Hahn. “Ontarians deserve a government that looks out for the people’s best interests, not one that uses phony math to try and get themselves re-elected.”

According to the FAO, even under the most optimistic of scenarios, the government will return to its deficit position after the next election unless it raises further revenues or exacts another round of austerity cuts.

“The result of Liberal incompetence is that many Ontarians are being forced to choose between food or hydro. Rather than admitting its mistake and bringing Hydro One back under public control, the government has added insult to injury with its “Fair Hydro Plan,” says Hahn. “This latest Hydro legislation is nothing more than a payday loan at an exorbitant interest rate.”

The FAO has also stated that it is not clear if the accounting structure used in the “Fair Hydro Plan” actually meets public sector accounting standards.

“Ontarians are fed up with a Liberal government that says one thing while actually doing the opposite,” says Hahn. “In just over a year, the people of Ontario will have the chance to voice their anger. The Premier should be worried.”

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Sarah Jordison, CUPE Communications, 416-578-5638

www.cupe.on.ca

 
Everyone deserves a safe and harassment-free workplace, and if a person is injured at work, they deserve a public system of support and compensation.

 
This year we need to recognize that workplace violence is on the rise and that action needs to be taken to protect workers from physical and mental injury.

 
No one should have to face violence at work, yet everyday this is the reality for hundreds of CUPE members working in schools, hospitals, social services and many other public services across Ontario.

 
CUPE Ontario is calling on the provincial government to ensure that:

 
• Enforcement of workers’ health and safety laws is increased;
• Appropriate staffing levels are in place to manage situations before they become violent;
• Employers understand and provide worker with their legal ‘Right to Know’ when they are assigned to work with individuals known for violent out bursts.

 
On this, Injured Workers’ Day, we encourage all our members to take a moment to remember a safe and violence-free workplace is your right. If your workplace is falling short, talk to your local health and safety rep about steps the union can take to help.

A celebration to recognize Eton’s achievements as a nurse will be held on Monday, June 5, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in the hospital classroom.

Praised by co-workers for her unfailing dedication to patients and mentoring younger nurses, Eaton will be greatly missed when she hangs up her stethoscope and retires next year, says Cathy Onion, the RPN co-worker who nominated Eaton for the annual award.

Onion will be among co-workers, other hospital representatives, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 2119 and Michael Hurley president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE).

“Rhonda is a very caring and loving nurse. Teaching new nurses, just beginning their careers. She’s also a team leader, always there to support all co-workers and mentor new nurses. We all know this is a big part of being a great nurse,” says Onion in proudly nominating Eaton who has worked in numerous areas of the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital, including surgery, emergency, rehab and long-term care.

Nursing practice and skills education have changed dramatically over the years. Registered practical nurses are regulated and licensed by the Ontario College of Nurses. Registered practical nursing is a 2-year nursing program at community college.

“We should be grateful for the immense commitment to quality patient care that nurses like Rhonda bring to their work, despite the severe understaffing in Ontario hospitals today,” says Hurley.

-30-

For more information please contact:

Michael Hurley            President, Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE)                     416-884-0770

Stella Yeadon              Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Communications                 416-559-9300

Today’s rally will begin at approximately 12 noon and run until approximately 1:30 p.m.

Striking CUPE 1600 members will be joined by delegates to the CUPE Ontario Division convention, which is taking place this week, as well as other labour unions, the Toronto and York Region Labour Council and community allies.

Media interested in covering this event are encouraged to contact Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications.

WHAT:           Rally and demonstration in support of CUPE Local 1600 (Toronto Zoo Workers)

WHEN:           Today, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. (approx.)

WHERE:         Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON

WHO: Members of CUPE Local 1600, CUPE Ontario Convention delegates, labour and community allies.

Speakers to include:
Christine McKenzie, CUPE 1600 President
Fred Hahn, CUPE Ontario President

WHY: To show support for striking CUPE 1600 members and call on the Toronto Zoo and its owner, the City of Toronto, to get back to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair collective agreement.

CUPE 1600 represents more than 400 zookeepers, horticulturalists, trades people, administration and public relations staff, concession and ride operators at Canada’s largest Zoo. They have been on strike since May 11.

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, 416-821-6641

The time to settle is now, before it’s too late.

“Breeding programs that bring endangered species back from the brink of extinction are at risk. Conservation and wildlife release programs are at risk. Our exchanges with international partners are at risk. Any further delay could profoundly harm these efforts,” said Christine McKenzie, President of CUPE 1600.

“We are ready and able to finish bargaining with the Toronto Zoo. The only thing missing is a partner across the bargaining table,” she added.

Today’s rally was organized by CUPE Ontario, which is holding its annual convention this week in Toronto. More than 1,000 delegates, supporters from other unions and community allies took part in today’s event.

Workers began strike action on May 11 to defend good jobs that support the community, the Zoo’s world-leading research, education and conservation efforts, and most importantly, quality animal care.

The main obstacle to a settlement has been Zoo management’s insistence that current Zoo workers agree to surrender employment security language for future Zoo employees.

“These workers could have done the easy thing and accepted something that wouldn’t affect them directly, but sold out the future workforce. Instead, they did the right thing and took a stand for the next generation,” CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn, told rally participants.

A day earlier, delegates raised more than $53,000 in less than an hour to support striking zoo workers. CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Charles Fleury has agreed to match this amount, to ensure striking Zoo workers have the support they need.

“This year’s convention theme is ‘Be Bold, Be Brave’, and I can tell you that we are incredibly proud and honoured to stand alongside these bold, brave workers, today and for as long as it takes,” said Hahn.

CUPE 1600 represents more than 400 zookeepers, horticulturalists, trades people, administration and public relations staff, concession and ride operators at Canada’s largest Zoo.

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, 416-821-6641

Christine McKenzie, President of CUPE Local 1600, will hold a press conference today at 10:00 a.m. to inform the public that the union has a new proposal and explain why there is an urgency and need to get back to caring for the animals at the Toronto Zoo.

WHO:        Christine McKenzie, President, CUPE Local 1600

WHAT:      Press conference to inform the public that the union has a new proposal and to explain why there is an urgency and need to get back to caring for the animals at the Toronto Zoo

WHERE:   Toronto City Hall, 2^nd Floor, ‘A Street’ Lobby

WHEN:     10:00 a.m., June 6, 2017

WHY:        The ongoing dispute between the Toronto Zoo Board of Management and CUPE Local 1600 is threatening the health and safety of the animals at the Toronto Zoo. For almost four weeks, the Zoo’s animals have been tended to by management and administrative staff who, despite their commitment, do not have the training or expertise to provide the appropriate level of care required for the animals’ continued well-being

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, 416-821-6641

CUPE paramedics believe these changes will result in “negative outcomes for patients and Ontarians in a medical emergency trauma and we’ve consistently advised the Liberals against a costly and risky change to emergency medical service delivery that would let municipalities put paramedics on firetrucks. To improve response times, what’s needed is increasing the capacity of ambulance services to put more paramedics on the road.  That’s something that would cost much less than putting paramedics on firetrucks and save more lives,” says CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn.

CUPE which represents the majority of paramedics – about 6000 paramedics and dispatch/communication officers province-wide –  is perturbed that Premier Kathleen Wynne would make this “partisan announcement in such a clearly biased venue in a room full of firefighters. Paramedics don’t support this change because they think it will put patients at risk. Paramedics aren’t alone,” says Hahn. “Many municipalities are opposed because if implemented fully, they will ultimately bear the increased financial strain since half of their costs for ambulance paramedic services are funded by the province while fire costs are not provincially funded. Municipalities will be paying the full cost of this Liberal paramedics on firetrucks scheme.”

At the annual meeting of Ontario’s firefighters union today, the Premier also announced significant changes to emergency medical response intended to keep patients out of hospitals and “which could have detrimental repercussions for patients who call 911,” says Michael Hurley president of CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE).

Currently paramedics are bound by law to take patients to hospital. The province intends to change that, it appears, so that patients could be released to already stressed primary care providers, outpatient clinics and other forms of community-based care.  Known as ‘treat and refer’, this model would divert patients into cheaper forms of health care in the community. This idea is not in our opinion motivated by better patient outcomes, but rather on cost-containment and this government’s plan to continue to downsize hospital care,” says Hurley.

These proposals to change EMS delivery could have serious consequences for patients.

For one says Hahn, many firefighters work 24 hour shifts. Research shows that such work hours have serious consequences on an individual’s judgement when critical life/death decisions are being made. There is no fully qualified oversight and quality assurance system in place with respect to the medical functions that would be performed by firefighters performing EMS duties.

While some aspects of patient triage would be useful in ensuring that a ambulance-based paramedic service is dispatched to medical emergency calls rather than a fire department, the release of patients into under-resourced community settings is “taking risks and putting additional stresses on paramedics to diagnose medical symptoms that may not be readily apparent at the onset of answering a 911 call,” says Hurley.

CUPE is encouraging the province to hold meaningful consultations with paramedics about expanding cost-effective ambulance based emergency medical care, and not advancing on the profound changes to EMS proposed today.

-30-

For more information please contact:

Michael Hurley                    President, Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE)                     416-884-0770

Stella Yeadon                     Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Communications                   416-559-9300