THUNDER BAY – CAW Local 229 will be holding a rally at City Hall at 6:00PM today (Monday November 14th, 2011). Local 229 President Kari Jefford says the goal is “To send a clear message to City Council that the union will support a recommendation to maintain jobs and EMS services within the City of Thunder Bay”. Paramedics from the District of Thunder Bay and the City of Thunder Bay will be attending a dinner meeting at CAW Local 229 and then will join CAW Local 229 members at the rally outside City Hall at 6:00 pm this evening.
Jefford says, “CAW Local 229 is in full support of the recommendation of option 5, being made by Norm Gale on Monday November 14, 2011. For clarity, the recommendation of option 5 has been attached. CAW supports this recommendation for the following reasons:
• Maintain current staffing in the City with the expansion of two full time cars phased in over the next two years.
• Status quo, no loss of jobs, stations or cars in the District with a plan to source additional funding and partnerships with municipalities, the provincial government and the additional funding sources. This initiative will require long term planning and partnerships. CAW Local 229 fully commits to SNEMS and City Administration to work to facilitate theses partnerships”.
“CAW Local 229 with the assistance of the CAW National Union will continue to lobby provincial government, municipal government in the City of Thunder Bay and all municipalities with SNEMS services to ensure there are no job losses or service cuts,” states Jefford. “The Local commits to partnering with SNEMS administration to overcome the challenges of funding shortages, non-urgent transfers and off load delays”.