More than 100 paramedics working in the District Municipality of Muskoka have voted overwhelmingly to join the 3,600 other paramedics and ambulance communication officers in OPSEU/SEFPO.
“To each and every one of these front-line heroes in Muskoka, I say: welcome home,” said OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “They clearly understand what 170,000 other workers across the province already know: our union is the voice for public sector workers in Ontario.”
The new members work out of five ambulance bases in Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, MacTier, and Port Carling.
“This is great news for the Muskoka paramedics, but it’s also great news for every other OPSEU/SEFPO member,” said First Vice-President/Treasurer Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida. “There’s strength in numbers, and as more workers join us, we’re all getting stronger with each passing day.”
Before the vote, Ambulance Division Chair Jamie Ramage gave a strong presentation to the Muskoka paramedics about the benefits of joining OPSEU/SEFPO.
“There are a lot of demanding jobs in the public service, but not many are as physically and emotionally demanding as being a paramedic,” said Ramage, who is an Advanced Care Paramedic with the City of Hamilton Paramedic Service. “The best thing we can do to help ourselves and help each other is to stand together in a strong union like OPSEU/SEFPO.”