Author Archives : admin

** PEI paramedics still waiting to settle labour contract one year later;could be another year for arbitration

** Michigan medic fired after attacking grocery store cashier directing traffic around unconscious man

** Island EMS paramedics in Prince Edward Island could have one more year to wait to see their contract go to arbitration. That is the word from the Journal Pioneer (Mike Carson/November 4) which said EMS practitioners have now been without a collective agreement since December 31, 2012. According to the newspaper, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) spokesman Bill McKinnon said the only arbitrator both sides in the dispute might agree to is not available until this time next year. Without this decision, a government appointed representative could be put in place. The main issues are wages and casual employees’ rights. McKinnon said PEI medics make on average about 15 per cent less than their Nova Scotia counterparts. A 2012 change in the provincial Labour Act removed paramedics’ right to strike.

** A Michigan paramedic is on the unemployment line after scuffling last month with a grocery store cashier at a call scene. Michigan Live (Bob Johnson/November 4) said the Mobile Medical Response practitioner was caught on video engaging in the October 22nd attack outside a Saginaw Family Dollar. The footage shows the unidentified provider telling the cashier to get out of his space while the latter is directing traffic around an unconscious man. When the cashier didn’t move, the medic bumped him, eventually putting him on the ground. A statement released by the ambulance company said they had never had an employee act in a similar way. The release also said it had approached Family Dollar and the cashier to extend its regrets over the incident.