The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today provided the following statement regarding reconvening the House of Assembly for an emergency debate: 

“I have taken immediate action in light of the labour dispute between Teamsters Local 855 and the union’s employer, the private ambulance operator Fewer’s Ambulance Service Limited, as the recent breakdown of negotiations between the two parties has disrupted services to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Due to the urgent and critical nature of the situation created by this strike action and labour dispute, it raises serious concerns for the safety and well-being of residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. As such, it requires Members of the House of Assembly to convene on Monday (January 23) for an emergency debate to enact the Essential Ambulance Services Act. I have directed the Government House Leader to ask the Speaker to do so immediately.

This Act will make private ambulance services essential, which is necessary in order to protect the safety of patients, particularly given the current challenges within the health care system across Canada, including in our province.

We recognize the valuable role private and community ambulance operators and service providers play in the delivery of health care in our province, and it was our hope that the parties could come to an agreement in this labour dispute. The Provincial Government has been providing conciliation services, as outlined in the Labour Relations Act.”

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BACKGROUNDER

The Essential Ambulance Services Act

The Essential Ambulance Services Act will allow the employer and employees to determine the terms of the essential ambulance services agreement, and will allow them to engage with the Labour Relations Board when necessary – including authorizing the Board to refer a matter to binding arbitration to protect the employees’ meaningful right to a strike and the employers’ meaningful right to a lockout. When passed, the Act will require the union members to return to work until an essential services agreement is established, at which point labour action may resume.

To date, only ambulance services provided publicly, through the Regional Health Authorities, fall under such legislation. Paramedics employed by private ambulance service operators fall under the Labour Relations Act and have thus far not been deemed essential.