Paramedics working for Sun Parlour Emergency Services covering Essex County yesterday ratified a new labour agreement.

The 55 paramedics, members of the Service Employees International Union Local 1.on, voted 95 per cent in favour of the new agreement.

SEIU Local 1.on representative, Cathy Carroll, says the new agreement will bring this paramedic unit in term of wages and benefits to one of the top in the province.

Currently primary care paramedics earn $20.95 per hour. This will increase to $30.90 per hour by January 1, 2006, a 47.5 per cent increase. Advanced care paramedics will earn $33.97 per hour by January 1, 2006.

In addition to the wage increases, the paramedics won increased bereavement leave, pregnancy and parental leave top-ups, two additional personal days per year, increased vacation time, and an increase in shift premiums.

Part-time employees now will receive a six per cent increase in lieu of benefits and employees also gained an $800 per year job related expenses stipend.

Included in the new agreement are early retirement benefits for employees who retire at age 55.

"It was a long drawn out intensive set of negotiations," Carroll said, "But the members' perseverance paid off."

The contract will expire March 31, 2006.

SEIU Local 1.on's total membership is 40,000. SEIU Local 1.on is affiliated to the largest union in North America, the 1.6 million member Service Employees International Union.