Sault paramedics rally in front of social services office

Paramedics rallied outside the offices of the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board as the union that represents them continues to call for a return to the bargaining table to resume contract talks.

Sault paramedics rally on Albert Street amid a labour dispute. June 11, 2024 (Mike McDonald/CTV Northern Ontario)

Members of Unifor Local 1359 have been without a contract for more than a year and they’re protesting their employer’s call for arbitration to settle the dispute.

The sound of honking horns filled the air Tuesday as paramedics appealed to the public for support in their ongoing dispute with Sault social services.

Protesters lined Albert Street in front of the newly built social services building to draw attention to their grievances -- one of which is that paramedics are not considered 'essential' like their police and fire counterparts.

"It gives them a bit of a higher bargaining position when they go to arbitration or they go to the table to negotiate their wages and their new contracts with their employers. We don't have that," said paramedic Matt Van Horne.

"So, that's why we're, unfortunately, considering a strike action right now or worker action because of the employer's lack of ability to negotiate with us fairly."

Mary Casola, vice president of Unifor Local 1359, said the non-essential status of paramedics is an issue few people are aware of.

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"I am not surprised that the public is not aware of this," she said.

"We are here to educate the public that we are non-essential. We do have the right to strike and if the employer doesn't respect the paramedics returning back to the table, we will do just that."

Sault paramedics rally on Albert Street amid a labour dispute. June 11, 2024 (Mike McDonald/CTV Northern Ontario)

Brian Haines, a retired paramedic who spent 37 years on the job, was also present for the rally.

"Very disappointed that through my entire career, we have not yet been deemed essential," said Haines. "When you think about it, if something happens to one of your loved ones, who is more essential than a paramedic to show up, to look after them?"

Another issue for the paramedics is a wage gap between them and other emergency responders.

Sault paramedics rally on Albert Street amid a labour dispute. June 11, 2024 (Mike McDonald/CTV Northern Ontario)

While paramedics in Sault Ste. Marie are considering strike action, they want to make it clear that this will not mean a complete absence of service in the city -- rather a reduction of service that will only see urgent or life-threatening calls responded to.