Wednesday, August 29, 2007

** 11th hour agreement could avert Ontario air ambulance dispatch strike

** Paramedics’ union votes to back Connecticut Senator for Democratic presidential nomination

CANADA NEWS

** A potential September 11th strike on the part of Ontario air ambulance dispatchers may be off. That is the word from the National Union of Public and General Employees (August 29) which said eleventh hour negotiations have resulted in a tentative agreement with Ornge. Voting on the deal takes place September 4-5. The dispatchers voted August 17 to strike.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** The union representing over 281,000 paramedics and firefighters has decided to endorse Democratic Senator Christopher Dodd’s (Connecticut) bid for the presidential nomination. Bloomberg Radio (August 28) said the nod given by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is expected to be officially announced today in Washington. The group is only the second major one coming forward with such a decision. Yesterday, the United Transportation Union said it would be backing current Democratic frontrunner and former First Lady Hillary Clinton. During the last presidential race, the IAFF supported Massachusetts Senator John Kerry.