Minister signs Ambulance Service Agreements

Health and Community Service Minister Gerald Smith today signed ambulance service agreements with two provincial ambulance associations. The signing took place in Gander, with Rex Freake representing the Newfoundland Association of Ambulance Services and Cal Wilton representing the Newfoundland and Labrador Community Ambulance Operators Association.

"I am very pleased to sign these agreements today," said Minister Smith. "We have had a long and productive negotiation process. These agreements truly enhance the ambulance industry in our province, and will benefit operators, employees, and most importantly, the people in the province who depend on this service."

Both agreements are retroactive to April 1, 2003 and are for one year.

The agreement with the Newfoundland Association of Ambulance Services will result in an increase of $2.4 million on a per annum basis and includes:

• An average salary for paramedics of $13.00 per hour, with this increase being retroactive to April 1, 2003. Funding will also be provided to increase wages for other staff.
• New funding will be made available to enable the ambulance services to hire additional staff, as well as to assist the services with recruitment and retention of employees. This funding will help to improve lifestyle and work hours for existing staff.
• An increase in the amount allocated for non-salary operating costs.

Rex Freake, president of the Newfoundland Association of Ambulance Services, said his

members feel they have reached a fair and solid agreement in this round of negotiations. "We have made significant gains for ambulance operators and for our industry in this agreement, and I am pleased to be able to sign it today," he said.

The agreement with the Newfoundland and Labrador Community Ambulance Operators Association will result in an increase of $0.9 million on a per annum basis and includes:

• New funding to enable the community services to hire staff. This funding will help address the challenges community operators are having with recruiting and retaining trained volunteers.

• New funding to assist with the recruitment and retention of employees.

• An increase in the amount allocated for non-salary operating costs.

"With this agreement, community operators will now be able to hire employees which will enable communities to stabilize the services they provide," said Cal Wilton, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Community Ambulance Operators Association. "Community ambulance operations are not-for-profit and face unique operating challenges. This was our focus during this round of negotiations, and I am pleased that government has listened."

"These agreements will result in significant increases in the funding government provides to these groups, as well as help operators to address recruitment and retention of qualified staff," explained Minister Smith. "Government and the operators have also made significant progress towards achieving a higher standard of pre-hospital care for the people of the province, and I am pleased we are able to conclude negotiations."

Media contact: Diane Keough, Communications, (709) 729-1377

2003 09 26                                     11:30 a.m.