By Katie Schneider
Calgary Sun
Copyright 2007 Sun Media Corporation
All Rights Reserved
CALGARY, AB — The fate of ambulance service in the city will be in the hands of union members this week when its more than 400 Calgary EMS staff head to the polls starting today.
With a sizable wage gap between what is being offered and what the union is seeking, contingency plans are being made for the event of the a strike, city spokeswoman Vickie Megrath said.
However, if the union does decide to strike, Megrath said EMS service will still continue.
“Public and health safety is of primary concern,” she said.
“We do have a contingency plan in place.”
Though fewer ambulances would be on the road, managers who are trained paramedics will staff them and be available to care for patients.
She said the city values its EMS employees and the job they do and is willing to continue negotiations with the union.
“Our primary goal is to reach a negotiated settlement with them,” she said.
The union is seeking a 30% wage increase over three years including market adjustments to the base pay and the city is offering a 12% increase plus shift differential and a supplemental pension plan.
Megrath said the 12% increase is in line with what the city and transit union settled on during their negotiations in June.
It is also affordable for taxpayers, and would keep the city’s paramedics among the highest paid in Western Canada, she said.
Polling stations will be set up at four locations in the city and open for seven hours, today through Wednesday.
Bruce Robb, president of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3421, said the strike vote will give members a chance to have a voice.
“I’m hoping the members make a decision and I’ll respect that decision whatever it is,” Robb said.
The Alberta Labour Board will notify the city of the results on Thursday.