THUNDER BAY - The city has reached a last minute tentative deal with paramedics who were preparing to walk off the job later this week.
The city announced Tuesday afternoon they had reached a memorandum of settlement with Unifor Local 229 Superior North Emergency Medical Services Thunder Bay, which represents nearly 90 paramedics.
Paramedics had been without a contract since March 31, 2015 and voted 100 per cent in favour of a strike mandate earlier this month.
Though paramedics are recognized as an essential service and they must maintain 36 workers on the job at all times, they were eligible to hit the picket lines at midnight Thursday.
“We are pleased to reach a tentative settlement and avoid a strike situation,” said city manager Norm Gale in a media release. “It’s a credit to the bargaining teams on both sides of the table. We look forward to the continued delivery of excellent emergency medical services to the residents of Thunder Bay.”
The proposed deal still needs to be ratified by both parties.
