Item - 2012.EX15.12
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Executive Committee on January 24, 2012. The Executive Committee has referred this item to an official or other body without making a decision. Consult the text of the decision for further information on the referral.
EX15.12 - Designating Emergency Medical Services as an Essential Service - Motion MM13.1 referred by City Council on October 24, 2011
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Referred
- Wards:
- All
Committee Decision
The Executive Committee requested the City Manager to report back to the Executive Comittee on the pros and cons and the process and considerations for designating Toronto Emergency Medical Services as an Essential Service, including options to resolve disputes through binding interest arbitration.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Executive Committee recessed its public session to meet in closed session to consider this item as it relates to labour relations or employee negotiations.
Origin
Summary
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has 1,171 members including highly trained paramedics and other support staff. During work stoppages, striking members are required to staff at 75 percent levels to respond to emergencies, whereas both Fire and Police Services are essential and run on full strength.
This is unacceptable, as during the last work stoppage, Emergency Medical Services' ambulance response times dropped by 20 percent, risking the lives and safety of Toronto residents. It is of the utmost importance that the City's responses to the most critical calls for emergency medical service continue to be properly served at all times.
Safety should not be compromised in an emergency because of a strike or lockout.
(Submitted to City Council on October 24 and 25, 2011 as MM13.1)
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-44377.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/ex/comm/communicationfile-28223.pdf
(January 24, 2012) Letter from Geoff MacBride, President, Toronto Paramedic Association (EX.New.EX15.12.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/ex/comm/communicationfile-28244.pdf
Speakers
Roberta Scott, Toronto EMS
Mike Wilson
Claude Muir
Andrew Whittemore
Ken Horton
Marty Holdenried,
Dennis Petermanec
Michael Hull
Robert Boyd
Bianca Sanchez
Councillor Gloria Lindsay Luby
Councillor Shelley Carroll
Councillor Adam Vaughan
Councillor Pam McConnell
Councillor Raymond Cho
Councillor Paula Fletcher
Councillor Josh Matlow
Motions
That the Executive Committee recess its public session to meet in closed session to consider this item as it relates to labour relations or employee negotiations.
That the City Manager report back to the Executive Comittee on the process and considerations for designating Toronto Emergency Medical Services as an Essential Service, including options to resolve disputes through binding interest arbitration.
That Councillor Mammoliti's motion be amended by adding the words, "pros and cons and the" after the words "report back to the Executive Committee on the", so that the Motion now reads:
"That the City Manager report back to the Executive Comittee on the pros and cons and the process and considerations for designating Toronto Emergency Medical Services as an Essential Service, including options to resolve disputes through binding interest arbitration"
Vote (Amend Motion) Jan-24-2012
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - EX15.12 - Holyday - Motion 3 |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 10 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Mike Del Grande, Rob Ford, Doug Holyday (Chair), Giorgio Mammoliti, Peter Milczyn, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Cesar Palacio, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner |
| Total members that voted No: 2 | Members that voted No are Michelle Berardinetti, Norman Kelly |
| Total members that were Absent: 1 | Members that were absent are Michael Thompson |