Urgences-Santé paramedics give union mandate to strike
Union represents about 960 paramedics in Montreal and Laval
An overwhelming majority of Urgences-Santé paramedics have voted to give their union a general strike mandate.
The union, which is CSN affiliated, said 99.5 per cent of paramedics voted in favour.
They were meeting Tuesday and Wednesday for a general assembly.
They represent about 960 paramedics in Montreal and Laval.
Their collective agreement expired March 31, 2015.
Yvon Bonesso, the union's vice-president, said negotiations between Quebec's Health Ministry and Urgences-Santé have gone on for over a year and a half without a result.
He said that there are a number of work related issues they want to address and paramedics are feeling frustrated.
"The workload is so bad, we don't feel that we're providing the best service that we can," said Bonesso.
"It's not just a question of money and salaries, it's a question of workload."
There are no firm plans yet for a strike, but paramedics would be required to provide emergency care if they take any work actions since they are considered an essential service by law.
With files from The Canadian Press