Some private ambulance operators who were in a legal strike position are now on strike.
That means no emergency services or routing transfers.
The employees, including paramedics, dispatchers and EMRs, are withdrawing because of a dispute with Fewer’s Ambulance Service, which owns seven different ambulance operations across Newfoundland.
EMS FIGHTING FOR WHAT WE DESERVE #strike #fairpay @CBCNL @VOCMOpenline @590VOCM @VOCMNEWS @hot991fm @OfficialOZFM @StJohnsTelegram @BarryPetten @FureyAndrew @NTVNewsNL @bethpenneyNL @Teamsters @TownofCBS @ pic.twitter.com/mUx1P7Km9t
— Hayley Puglisevich (@HayleyFagan94) January 20, 2023
Hubert Dawe, business manager with Teamsters Local 855, says they withdrew some services a couple of weeks ago but none affecting emergency needs of patients. That changed as of 12 p.m. today.
He says they tried to set up a system where they would do an escalating strike with minimal impact on the public but he accuses the employer of pulling a stunt and falsely reporting an employee for non-compliance.
He says it’s the second time that the company has done this, “clearly showing that they have no morals.”
Health Authorities Have Backup Plans During Ambulance Strike
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice and Public Safety says the province-wide 911 service is not affected by the strike action.
Officials are asking people who require emergency services to call 911, and “all efforts to mitigate the impacts of the current ambulance labour dispute are being made.”
Health authorities are putting contingency plans in place which includes working with adjacent private ambulance services and bringing in additional staff to support emergency response and transfer services.
Labour Minister Bernard Davis says his department has resources at the ready to assist with conciliation when the two sides return to the table.
Western Health is ensuring the continuance of ambulance services throughout the job action being taken by some private ambulance services. Ambulance services for emergencies will continue to be provided throughout the region.
Read: https://t.co/WeycVT6urf pic.twitter.com/uwJuvwLrrr
— Western Health NL (@WesternHealthNL) January 20, 2023
Central Health is ensuring ambulance services for emergencies will continue to be provided throughout the region and residents should continue to call 911 if they require emergency health services. See PSA>>https://t.co/4UO7XQQKBt pic.twitter.com/buqSjmd9rO
— Central Health (@CentralHealthNL) January 20, 2023
