An update in the House of Assembly this afternoon on the private ambulance strike involving members of Teamsters Local 855.
Jim Dinn stood in the Legislature during Question Period prior to emergency debate called by the provincial government to pass essential services legislation for private ambulance operators.
Debate was supposed to start in the House this morning, but Dinn refused to grant leave causing a recess.
The gallery was filled with ambulance operators and EMTs who rallied at Confederation Building prior to the reopening of the House.
Dinn says in the meantime, government has spoken with the union.
He says his refusal to grant leave forced the Premier and his ministers to speak with union members. The union, in a gesture of good faith, agreed to put ambulances back on the road as of 4:00 p.m. Premier Andrew Furey, turning to those in the public gallery, offered his thanks to “the service you all provide.”
Teamsters Union rep Hubert Dawe says they reached out to the employer to offer a partial return to service.
The employer took some time says Dawe to consider the offer and came back indicating that he was not interested in a partial return to service. “I was baffled” Dawe told reporters at the House of Assembly this afternoon.
Fewer’s Response
(Eastern Health Ambulance)
Fewer’s released a statement late Monday afternoon.
The statement reads that Fewer’s group of ambulance service is willing to work with the Teamsters Union Local 855 and discuss an agreement that involves restoring emergency services only.
However, the statement says, the company would “require a fully detailed maintenance of services agreement that clearly articulates what services and duties are essential and must be performed.”
That includes “what ancillary duties are expected to be performed in support of the emergency services, the number of workers who will perform the services, ect.” so that the expectations of both parties “be clearly outlined for everyone’s benefit.”
Fewer’s also say that they made no comment to the union about not going back.
