Calgary Paramedics - CUPE Local 3421

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"Where Do We Go From Here?"

 

CALGARY–

by Rick Fraser, President of CUPE 3421 Calgary Paramedics

The road ahead remains uncertain. As we move forward to April 1 and the decertification of CUPE 3421, I'd like to take my last opportunity as Union President to thank everyone for their support throughout this difficult time.

The personal emails of support and encouragement were much appreciated, as were those that offered constructive criticism. They were all very helpful in ensuring regular evaluation of my message and the efforts to promote the very best for our CUPE 3421 members.

I would like to publicly thank the dedicated members of the Union Executive, for your endless hours of hard work, personal sacrifice and time away from your families. To all members, know that their efforts on everyone's behalf, the meetings and frustrations of trying to move forward against enormous odds, clearly show their committment to both their profession and their union sisters and brothers.

CUPE 3421 Calgary Paramedics will continue to represent you as we always have, until the Labour Board tells us we are no longer your bargaining agent. What I can tell you about the future, is that we're continuing to meet with EMS mgmt to resolve both current and long standing issues. Detailed and specific information about these issues changes daily, with the pressures to resolve them increasing as April 1 approaches. Please contact your stewards directly for the latest up to date resolutions and information.

As we are moved into HSAA under a new employer, we really have very little information as to how they will proceed. It would be best to 'skate with your helmet on and your head up' for the next couple of months, as we have no idea what procedures or changes are coming. Elizabeth Ballerman, president of HSAA has suggested in a letter that we have a conversation, which we will try to make happen very soon.

Change is upon us, and while the road ahead may be rough, there are still real possibilities for our profession in the future. It's up to us to realize those possibilities, and turn them into reality. We are a strong and uniquely capable group of individuals, who bring special skills and advanced medical training to sometimes dangerous and often bizarre circumstances. These abilities which we all have, allow us to rescue citizens from situations that would make normal people weep.

Alberta Paramedics must now stand together, with one unified voice, regardless of circumstances dictated by the Provincial Government, or anyone else. Our mission in this new world order is to continue to protect and treat our patients to the best of our ability, and to advocate for positive change and growth in our chosen profession of pre-hospital care. We will continue to support each other, and look out for each other. We will be victorious.

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