As wildfires across Ontario continue to burn, OPSEU/SEFPO members in aviation and forest fire services have been on the front lines keeping our communities safe. In the last few weeks, dozens of wildfires have been tearing through Northern Ontario, forcing several First Nations communities to evacuate and leaving OPSEU/SEFPO members working around the clock in a worsening fire season.
As OPSEU/SEFPO members continue to do everything they can to contain this crisis, they are also sounding the alarm on a growing recruitment and retention crisis that is threatening Ontario’s fire response – gaining national media attention. Outlets like the Toronto Star and CBC are reporting on the low wages and understaffing that is putting qualified response staff, and the communities they serve, at risk. This reporting has exposed the Ford government in their attempts to shortchange workers at the expense of Ontario’s safety – and no amount of political spin can hide the fact that they are directly responsible for this crisis.
The Ford government has offered insufficient increases to pilots, wildland fire fighters and Aircraft Maintenance Engineers – many of whom are the lowest-paid when compared to other provinces. In recent weeks pilots and AME’s have resoundingly rejected these offers, calling on the government to do better.
Ontario needs to be putting all necessary resources behind fire-fighting efforts – and that starts with immediately increasing wages that will attract the qualified professionals we need to keep Ontario communities safe. The brave workers on the front line of Ontario’s fire response – who are dedicated to performing this life-saving and dangerous work deserve better.
In the News
The next big wildfires are coming – but Ontario doesn’t have nearly enough firefighters – The Toronto Star
Water bomber pilot shortage grounds some aircrafts in Ontario – CBC News
3 Ontario water bombers grounded due to pilot shortage, union calls for better wages – CBC News
Lack of wildfire pilots has grounded 8 MNR aircrafts, says union – Subdury.com
Province, union at an impasse on classifying fire rangers as firefighters – NWO Newswatch
Lutte contre les feux : des métiers mal payés qui n’attirent plus en Ontario? – ONFR TFO