Employees of seven private ambulance services across the province have taken job action.

As of this morning, 120 paramedics, EMRs and dispatchers with Teamsters Local 855 employed with services in CBS (13910 NL) and Stephenville (72351 NL), Ferryland Emergency Services, Fewer’s Ambulance Service in the southeast of the province, Gambo Ambulance Service, Mercer’s Ambulance Service on Fogo, and Ryan’s Ambulance Service in Trepassey have started phase 1 of job action.

Business agent with the union Hubert Dawe says the phased in approach means the public will not see a disruption in service.

He says it was important to the members that the public continue to be able to access the emergency service.

Dawe says the biggest issue is wages and the lack of a pension.

He says its a very demanding job physically and mentally, and many don’t reach the normal retirement age, but for those to do, its inconceivable they can work their whole life at a career and not have anything to fall back on.