An arbitrator will decide what Peel’s 350 paramedics should earn in their new contract after the union that represents the workers and the Region of Peel failed to reach a negotiated agreement.
Negotiations have broken down between Peel and the Ontario Public Service Employees’ Union local that represents the paramedics who man the 13 ambulance stations in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.
Local union president Michael Donnelly said workers will remain on the job but are disappointed in their failure to negotiate a deal directly with the Region.
“We will continue to respond to the urgent needs of the injured and ill residents of the Region of Peel without placing anyone in jeopardy. However, we want Peel Region to negotiate a fair contract settlement with our workers,” Donnelly said.
The old contract expired in April. Peel paramedics say that comparable regional ambulance services, such as Durham and Toronto, are paid about 17 per cent more than they are.
Paramedics work 12-hour shifts providing ambulance service around the clock. At peak times of operation, there are 32 ambulances on the road in Peel to serve its one million residents.

jstewart@mississauga.net