Striking Nova Scotia ambulance dispatchers are calling their employer, Emergency Medical Care, Inc. (EMC), back to the table to discuss wages. The dispatchers point to understaffing and low wages at EMC, a private company contracted by the province’s Emergency Health Services. CUPW Nova Scotia Medical Communications Local 015 is the union representing the workers. Craig Power, regional representative and negotiator for the union, says ambulance dispatchers make 30 per cent less than their colleagues who work for the RCMP. “The path to adequate staffing and safe ambulance services is clear: offer an agreement that pays these workers fairly and competitively,” he says in a news release. The union says fair wages would help to retain current workers and attract new ones to be recruited. EMC Inc. is required by the essential services agreement negotiated with the union to have 20 dispatchers working every weekday as the strike goes on. The union says, before the strike, it was common to have just 15 dispatchers on those shifts. “Every day I go into work, I am asked to make quick decisions that have life-or-death consequences,” says Jordan MacVay, a member of the union and communications training officer. “The last two weeks I’ve seen what it means to have a properly staffed workplace. My co-workers and I love our jobs, but we don’t want to sign a contract that will leave dispatch services understaffed and put the safety of Nova Scotians at risk,” she says. Melissa Marsman, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour, says the dispatch services are an essential part of the health-care system. “The Minister of Health needs to step in and make sure public money is going to the front-line staff who provide this critical service,” she says. The Department of Health and Wellness said in a statement that EMC has undertaken “significant planning” to ensure operations continue to run smoothly and the communications centre is “appropriately staffed” during the labour disruption. “We recognize and deeply value the essential role that these workers play in supporting the delivery of healthcare to Nova Scotians,” said the department. “The focus continues to be on delivering safe, high-quality care to Nova Scotians without any disruption. We trust the parties will continue to make every effort to reach a fairly negotiated agreement.” EMC also said all essential EHS services and operational requirements will be maintained during the strike so Nova Scotians should continue to call 911 if they experience an emergency. “We value all employees and are committed to the collective bargaining process, so a fair and comprehensive agreement can be reached,” said EMC in a statement to CTV News Atlantic. “We look forward to a positive resolution to this matter and will not be commenting further as we work towards this.” With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Jesse Thomas For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
