Ornge, largest provider of aero transport medicine in North America and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) have successfully ratified their first collective agreement on behalf of the organization’s 70 communication centre staff.
“I am delighted that this historic first agreement received overwhelming approval from our professionals in the communication centre,” said Rhoda Beecher, chief spokesperson for the Ornge management bargaining team. “These individuals play a daily role in helping Ornge deliver patient-centric care.”
In November 2006, Ornge reached a first agreement with members of the CAW, which represents Ornge flight paramedics. The agreement with OPSEU is the result of negotiations which began in June 2007, and includes wage increases in each year of the agreement and a comprehensive professional education program.
Ornge operates from 26 bases across the province and completes 18,000 admissions annually. It coordinates all aspects of Ontario’s aero medical transport system and is responsible for dispatch and authorizing air and land ambulance transfers between hospitals. Ornge is dedicated to propelling life through innovative transport medicine.
