Essex County paramedics are again holding a public information picket. This time in Leamington.

The paramedics, who are represented by the Service Employees International Union Local 1.on, are picketing on their own time to inform the public of the turmoil the county has forced upon EMS services in the region.

The county council announced more than a year ago that it will vote on a decision to consolidate the delivery of paramedic services in the area.

Since then the SEIU paramedics' contract negotiation have been in limbo. Their current contract expired in Mar. 2006.

"SEIU paramedics are prepared to take the lead on cleaning up the EMS mess in Essex County," says Ian Nash, a Sun Parlour paramedic and SEIU chief steward.

"We are committed to holding public information pickets until the County or our employer, Sun Parlour Ambulance Services – Essex Division, show some leadership on this important public issue," Nash says.

SEIU paramedics held an inforamtion picket in Tecumseh on Tuesday this week. They also held information pickets in Sep. 2006 on the same issue.

The paramedics message to the public is that the current situation in EMS services in Essex is causing confusion because of the differing employment contracts between the four regional EMS providers, varying health and safety standards from one provider to another, as well as costly duplications in EMS delivery in the region.

SEIU Local 1.on represents 42,000 health care workers throughout Ontario. SEIU Canada represents 95,000 workers across Canada.

WHO:      Ian Nash (Paramedic, Sun Parlour Ambulance Services – Essex Division), Chief Steward, SEIU Local 1.on

WHAT:     Public Information Picket by Paramedics

WHEN:     Fri, Mar. 23, 2007, 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:    Leamington Ambulance, 46 Seacliff Drive, Leamington, Ontario