First responders walk off the job following strike order from union leadership

More than 100 workers with seven private ambulance services across Newfoundland have walked off the job.

Teamsters Local 855 leader Hubert Dawe said the decision came following a meeting early Friday by the union's strike committee, following an "incident" involving a union member on Thursday.

"The committee has given me 100 per cent mandate and as of 12 o'clock today, all our services will be walking off the job."

Dawe said the incident involved the employer, Fewer's Ambulance Service, reporting a union member Thursday for allegedly participating in an illegal strike, a charge Dawe said is unfounded. Union members have been participating in a work-to-rule campaign, in which they perform only their core contractual duties, since Jan. 11.

"This employer is taking advantage of government resources to try to strike-bust us on his behalf," said Dawe.

Dawe said the union recognizes the strain the provincial health-care system is under.

"We're just looking for a little bit of respect now in the role that we play in the health-care system, and unfortunately our members have reached the point based on this incident that the employer created yesterday, that we feel that the only way we're going to get recognized is to take the steps that we have taken."

The union's goal all along has been show the value of their services, said Dawe.

"Unfortunately, it's going to take the refusal of services and, you know, a backlog of people wanting or needing emergency services for all the people who were party to this to realize that this is a crisis situation. This situation needs to be addressed, not swept under the rug or hoped that it will go away."

Dawe offered an apology "to the entire province" for the effect the strike could have.

"Unfortunately, the men and women who provide these services are tired and they really want some help," he said. "Unfortunately, we feel that this is the only way to get it at this time."

All seven services are owned by one man, Bob Fewer. He has not responded to any media inquiries since the union went public about its labour dispute in late December.

Those companies cover a wide area of Newfoundland, from Fogo Island on the northeast coast to Trepassey on the southern shore of the Avalon Peninsula, and Stephenville on the west coast.

The provincial government spends a combined $7.7 million for those services each year, not including things like mileage and patient fees. Among the key issues for the first responders are wages and the lack of a pension plan. Dawe previously said the members could make better wages and have a greater quality of life working in a fast-food restaurant.