OPSEU/SEFPO’s Sector 1 Ambulance Division hosted the Paramedic Coordinated Bargaining Meeting and the ACO Bargaining Conference at OPSEU/SEFPO Head Office on October 7 and 8, 2024.
Bargaining teams from the Paramedic Services Locals that are expected to negotiate next year and designated Ambulance Communications Officer (ACO) delegates from both BPS (Broader Public Sector) and OPS (Ontario Public Service) bargaining units attended these events.
OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick, and First Vice-President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell greeted the delegates, and several OPSEU/SEFPO Executive Board Members also joined for both days.
Important topics of discussion included: Ontario’s bargaining landscape, building strategic approaches to negotiations, contract comparison, interest arbitration, Essential Ambulance Service Agreements (EASAs), health and safety, special wage adjustment for OPS ACOs, pay equity for BPS ACOs, political action, organizing and capacity building.
Joel Usher, Chair of the Ambulance Division, chaired the events. Staff from Contract Negotiations, Local Services, Research, Pay Equity, and Campaigns worked alongside sector leadership to make these two days a successful gathering for everyone who attended both in person and virtually.