Friday, July 13, 2007
** Second group of Yukon ambulance workers quits en masse
** Hamilton, Ontario EMS gets $7 million boost
** HSAS paramedics in Saskatchewan avert strike, settle contract
** 9/11 volunteer medics seek more Ground Zero compensation
** South Australia medics get 25 per cent pay hike
** As expected, ambulance volunteers followed the lead of their colleagues in Watson Lake and resigned en masse Thursday morning. The CBC (July 12) said the walkout comes just three days after the Watson Lake workers declined all shifts. Dawson medics spokesman Margie Baikie told the news service burnout was the main motivator for staff quitting. Although Baikie said some volunteer positions should be retained, she indicated practitioners are pushing for the hiring of four full time paramedics, as well as increased training.
** Hamilton, Ontario’s emergency medical services is about to get a $7 million boost. That is the word from The Hamilton Spectator (Nicole Macintyre/July 12) which said the funds will increase the fleet by four ambulances, at the same time as augmenting paramedic staffing by 58. Funded through a one per cent tax increase in 2008, the grant is also expected to aid in emergency response times. Currently, Hamilton’s sit at about 90 seconds too slow to conform with the provincial target of 10 minutes.
** Paramedics with the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS) will not be hitting the picket lines after all. The CBC (July 12) said the HSAS strike ended Wednesday after some 11th hour bargaining. Among the details of the settlement reached are wage increases of 4 per cent per year over two years. Top step pay ranges were also awarded an extra 2.5 per cent. In addition, full time employees will receive a $1,000 signing bonus. The contract replaces the previous deal that expired March 31.
UNITED STATES NEWS
** 9/11 first responders, who receive only $400 a week in Ground Zero compensation, are appealing to state legislators. The New York Post (Frankie Edozien/July 12) said the nine volunteer medics are asking politicos to override the governor’s veto of a federal package that would have awarded them some $20,000 more in benefits. The vetoes were instituted by both Governor George Pataki and his successor Governor Spitzer.
** South Australia ambulance officers have snagged a 25 per cent pay raise over three years. The Advertiser (Tania Bawden/July 12) said the hike will begin with an immediate 16.7 per cent jump. Although accepted by the 750 paramedics affected, the money will not prevent further industrial action on the issue of staffing. Ambulance Employees Association secretary Phil Palmer said practitioners are still pushing to up paramedic numbers by 50. In addition, Palmer said medics are seeking parity with wages paid to nursing personnel.
